Being one of the most successful varsity sports that our school has had the past couple of seasons, the 2011-2012 varsity wrestling team doesn’t plan on ending the winning tradition. With many key wrestlers coming back, hopes are very high this season. In just a short couple of weeks, the young men of the team start their season with the aspirations that their offseason work will turn into a prosperous campaign.

     Last year, the squad accomplished a perfect undefeated season in the Colonial Valley Conference and ultimately became Mercer County champions. With a fresh new batch of underclassmen stepping up to join the already talented juniors and seniors, it is quite possible that the team will be able to complete these tasks for the second year in a row.

     When asked about this season’s goals, seniors Aidan O’Neil and Mark Thompson both stated how the overall goal is to become the county champs again and even win states. Headlined by returning letterman and potential starters: Jackson Place, Dylan Kalwa, Tony Declerico John Dedufour, Ben Holcombe, Jared Markulec, Lucas Palker, Adam Ames, Mark Thompson, Aidan O’Neil, Peter Lee, Evan Carlton, Mike Markulec, Eric Barbera, Brendan Murphy, Ian Butler, Trevor Zeller, Dan Lee , Sean Kent, Jeremy Hunt plus the addition of highly touted incoming freshman class starring Mark Gerstacker, the Bulldogs have a very bright future.

     From the outside looking in, many people who aren’t used to the sport of wrestling don’t always understand the skill, work ethic, and team unity needed to participate. The season starts long before the actual winter season. Every year the many members of the wrestling squad attend a sleep over camp where they not only learn new skills and techniques, but they also get the opportunity to bond early. Along with the camp, practices were held two times a week in the summer. When the season actually starts, the wrestlers are faced with the grueling conditioning and everyday practice. The wrestling season is very demanding with hard work necessary each and every day starting in the summer.

     Mark Thompson is eager for his senior season to start. “I’ve really missed the team and I’m excited to see the new guys step up. I think we have really improved as a whole and can make great things happen this year.”

     Not only does wrestling provide a great work out on a daily basis during the season, it is also a great way for the student athletes to learn lifelong lessons.

     Senior Aidan O’Neil says “The team has a great bond and makes everyday fun. The constant challenges faced in wrestling humbles you greatly. By winning one day and losing the next, the sport proves that your hard work in practice is necessary to become the best.”

     Like every sport in the high school, the wrestling team looks forward to a specific couple of matches with their rivals. The team has already circled the matches with Robbinsville on the calendar and they are eager to defeat their divisional opponent.

     O’Neil says “Every year Robbinsville seems to be a good test for the team. The rivalry is great and every match is full of emotion. I remember watching the Hopewell and Robbinsville matches when my older brother would wrestle them, and you could tell there was tension between the two.”

     All in all, the Bulldogs look to start out the season on a strong note by practicing hard and improving their individual techniques in practice. With tradition on their side, and strong competitors in each weight class, the team truly believes they can contend with the best of the best and come out victorious.