WEST ORANGE – Head coach Stephan Zichella was certainly happy with the final results for his West Orange High School varsity wrestling team.
“We finished with a 9-7 record, but we were so young coming into the year,” he said. “We definitely surpassed all expectations and the great news is that with just two seniors, almost everyone will be expected back next year and that definitely excites us for the future.”
While the team achieved much success, no individual Mountaineer accomplished more this year than 113-pound junior Victor Lopez, who made Worrall Media All-Area first team.
“Victor won first team all-Super Essex Conference and was a county champ,” Zichella said. “He has 100 career wins and became the first West Orange wrestler to reach the milestone while not in his senior year. Lopez finished in the top 12 in the state and was one win away from medaling. Notably, Lopez finished in the top 16 a year ago.”
Another outstanding wrestler for WOHS was senior 285-pound heavyweight Brian Velez, who made All-Area first team.
“Brian finished with 25 wins. He was a district champion and finished second in the regionals,” Zichella said.
Another wrestler who enjoyed a solid year for West Orange was 170-pound sophomore Sebastian Rawls, who made All-Area second team.
“Sebastian had a really nice year and finished fourth in the region,” said the coach.
Sophomore 195-pound Noah Tandy, who finished with 21 wins, and junior 145-pound Abraham Dada made All-Area second team as well.
“Abraham took second in the district and had a fine year for us overall,” Zichella said.
Freshman 126-pound Colin Morgan, who made All-Area second team, had a good season.
“Colin finished in the top six in the regions and went to the district finals,” Zichella said.
In addition, 106-pound sophomore Andrew Roberts and 160-pound senior Tim Matteo Adesokan, the only other senior on the roster aside from Velez, made All-Area honorable mention.
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