Pinning History: Long Valley Wrestlers Past, Present, Future Unite

The memorable stories are as strong the athletes themselves, but no more so than the families that support them and helped create them.

Wrestlers and their families have a special bond, one created during endless training sessions and heart-wrenching competitions. In Long Valley, the history goes back decades.

The founders of the Long Valley Wrestling program, current members and potential future grapplers came together recently at the first-ever annual reunion to trade stories and talk about the future of the sport locally.

Thanks to a growing feeder program of wrestlers between kindergarten and eighth grade, plus a coaching core at the high school, the Wolfpack squad at West Morris Central has seen strong seasons both for the team and individuals in recent years.

Jesse Windt and Nick Matthews both went to the state championships in Atlantic City in 2014 and 2013, respectively. During Matthews’ senior campaign, in the 2012-13 season, the squad won 18 matches – the most in school history, as Matthews himself became the first Central wrestler to eclipse 100 individual victories in a career.

Earlier this year eighth-grader Matt Liberato became the first Long Valley wrestler to win a grade school title after completing his own historic 18-0 season.

The Long Valley Wrestling program offers wrestling instruction and competition for wrestlers of all ages, sizes, shapes, and athletic ability. Anyone interested in learning more can find out by visiting www.longvalleywrestling.com.

A second wrestling reunion is being considered for next summer. Anyone interested can contact Jeff Hill at jhill@mykidscalendar.com.