This year wrestling became a permanent sport offered by HYAA and 48 wrestlers signed up to compete in our program. We applied and were accepted into the Jersey Shore Junior Wrestling League. (JSJWL) We were put in the “B“ division consisting of 15 teams. The team won 4 matches and lost 10 matches.
In our end of the season individual tournament, we finished in 8th place out of the 15 teams in our league. Some highlights from the tournament were Troy Gallo finishing in 1st place in his weight to cap an 18-0 season. Dean Gallo finished in 3rd place, Frank Condito finished in 4th place, Scott Dupont finished in 6th place and Tommy Ilvento finished in 7th place.
The boys all improved as the season progressed. Other first year wrestlers competed on Thursday nights in Brick to gain valuable experience. We entered 22 wrestlers, mostly beginners in the Brick Mat Rat tournament and crowned 11 champs, 2 seconds and 6 thirds. Vinny Condito, Seamus Wood and Christian Smith were tournament champs to name a few.
The boys practiced hard every Tuesday and Thursday night from December 1st thru February 16th. As the season progressed, wrestlers were more confident and composed on the mats and began winning more frequently. As a team we wrestled over 400 individual matches with some boys wrestling 20 or more matches in the season. HYAA will conduct a clinic in the off season to continue the progress.