WEST ORANGE – Without a doubt, West Orange High School wrestlers Victor Lopez and Brian Velez enjoyed good efforts at the state tournament at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, March 4-5.
“Both boys represented West Orange and the program well and we are extremely proud of them,” said WOHS head coach Stephan Zichella. “This was a very positive experience for both of them and both kids will have memories to cherish for a long, long time.”
Highlighting the state tournament for WOHS, Lopez, a junior, finished the weekend with a winning record at 3-2.
Lopez, unseeded in the bottom bracket in the 113-pound class, decisioned seventh-seeded Anthony Capece of Cranford, 6-3, in the preliminary round, which along with the pre-quarterfinals round, took place Friday, March 4.
While any win in the state tournament is impressive, for Lopez this one was even more special since it was his 100th win all-time.
“That was a really nice moment,” said Zichella, noting Lopez became the first West Orange wrestler to reach the milestone while not in his senior year. “He won 30 matches as a freshman. He went to states as a sophomore and junior and that’s why he’s been able to do what no other West Orange wrestler has been able to do.”
Lopez then lost to second-seeded Christian Rivera of Christian Brothers Academy by major decision, 10-2, in the pre-quarterfinals.
On Saturday, Lopez pinned Chris Caban of Lodi in 2:00 in the wrestlebacks first round. Lopez decisioned Jacob Fallen of Lenape Valley, 2-1, in the wrestlebacks second round, but lost to Bergen Catholic’s Carmen Ferrante, 7-1, in the wrestlebacks third round to finish with a 36-4 record this season.
“Lopez finished in the top 12 in the state,” Zichella said. “He was one win away from medaling. To win three matches in the state tournament says a lot. He won his first match in impressive fashion but wrestled the eventual state champion in the next match and battled well but fell short. He won his next two matches before losing the next.”
Velez, the No. 8 seed in the top bracket in the 285-pound class, was pinned by unseeded Micah Clark of St. John Vianney in 1:09 in the preliminary round.
Velez, a senior, lost to Kyle Nothnagel of Phillipsburg via pin in 1:19 in the wrestlebacks first round to finish with a 25-12 record this season.
“Our goal for Brian was for him to win a match,” said Zichella. “He went out there and competed but was overwhelmed. We’re very proud of him for being able to make it to AC and he went up against two very tough opponents.”
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