UPDATED: France Graffeo and William Jennings leads host Nutley HS wrestling team at District 9 tournament; NHS assistant coach Nick Ritacco earns honor

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley High School wrestling hosted the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s District 9, tournament on Saturday, Feb. 19.

France Graffeo and William Jennings, both juniors, finished in third place in the 126-pound and 190-pound weight classes, respectively, to lead the NHS Raiders.

In the third-place consolation, Graffeo pinned Adam Michaels, of Kearny, in 4:26, while Jennings decisioned Alexavier Hansen, of Bloomfield, 11-6.

Graffeo and Jennings qualified for the Region 3 tournament at West Orange High School on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26. The top three finishers in each weight class qualified for the region tournament.

Clayden Leybovich, a junior, took fourth place in the 132-pound weight class for Nutley, losing to Joshua Baeza, of Kearny, by pin in 2:13.

NHS assistant coach Nick Ritacco was named the District 9 Assistant Coach of the Year.