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KRHS wrestling preview

| 13 Dec 2016 | 11:26
    A Kittatinny wrestler in blue grapples with a High Point opponent at a last-season match in February
    A Kittatinny wrestler in blue grapples with a High Point opponent at a last-season match in February

BY JOSH LASHLEY
NEWTON — The sport of wrestling is exceedingly tough as anyone who competed on the mat can attest and for a team to be outstanding for even one season is quite noteworthy.
That’s what makes the Kittatinny Regional High School wrestling program so impressive, not only have the Cougars had great individuals on the mat, but year after year and decade after decade they produce an outstanding program. The credit for which should be rightfully spread around among many contributers and that certainly includes veteran head coach John Gill.
Last season, a stellar Kittatinny squad won the NJSIAA North 1 Group 1 Sectional Tournament crown with a 52-12 triumph over Pompton Lakes and advanced to the State Group 1 finals where they were defeated by one point by perennial South Jersey power Paulsboro. Kittatinny topped Central Jersey Group 1 winner Point Pleasant Beach, 42-21, in the State Group 1 semifinal round.
The Cougars tallied an overall record of 18-2 last winter.
Key returnees for the Cougars this year include Derek Molfeto (sophomore, 106 pounds), Mark DiGeronimo (senior, 126 pounds), Perry Maio (junior, 132 pounds), Calvin Brook (junior, 145 pounds), Kasey Hotz (senior, 152 pounds), Josh Klimek (senior, 182 pounds) and Zach Mafaro (sophomore, 195 pounds).
Newcomers hoping to make their present felt in a positive way on the varsity lineup include Josh Hiler (junior, 170 pounds), Chris Litterio (junior, 220 pounds/285 pounds), Jake Mafaro (freshman, 195 pounds, 220 pounds), Brian Rast (junior, 145 pounds), Dan Doherty (junior, 126 pounds), Shane Smith (junior, 160 pounds), Nile Mattar (sophomore, 120 pounds), Brian Hanna (sophomore, 120 pounds), Mike Callahan Junior, 138 pounds), Mike Nelson (sophomore, 113 pounds), Gavin Apgar (senior, 220 pounds/285 pounds) and Graham Harpell (senior, 285 pounds).
“I certainly expect a lot from my seniors and if you have been in our program for four years I depend on your leadership to help set the tone in our practice room,’’ Gill said. “Coming to the room first and last to leave are simple examples that no matter what your career record is any hard working senior can demonstrate to the underclassmen.’’
The Cougars are scheduled to wrestle in the always challenging Caldwell Tournament on December 17.
“We certainly want to start out strong and win the Caldwell Tournament and our own Kittatinny Regional High School Linn Crawn Tournament,’’ Gill said. “Then on to post season competition.’’