GRHS wrestler O'Keefe leads the way this season

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports Editor
To Glen Ridge High School head varsity wrestling coach Kendall Southerland, having a wrestler like Evan O’Keefe was like having another coach.
O’Keefe exhibited tremendous senior leadership for a Ridger team that grappled with a lack of depth en route to a 7-18 season.
One of the best 152-pounders in the area, O’Keefe won Essex County and District 13 tournament titles and finished with an impressive 29-3 record.
“He was an excellent captain,” said Southerland. “He helped me out a lot of times in trying to keep the other guys focused. He was a good example for the team. He was a kid who was very dedicated and showed the younger kids what to do.”
GRHS senior 135-pound John Grimaldi also had a solid season, taking third in the District before finishing with a 21-11 mark.
“Whenever you have 20 wins, I think is a great season,” said Southerland of Grimaldi’s season. “He didn’t have to come back out after sitting out his junior year. To come back was a big step. He had a tough weight class in some of the matches. But he wrestled to the best of his ability. He never quit and always fought hard all the time. I am definitely proud of him.”
Southerland was encouraged by the development of freshman Nick Spitalleta, who posted 18 wins at 103.
“For a freshman to come out and get 18 wins, I think it’s awesome,” said Southerland. “He has a lot of room to grow. I like his attitude. I got him for the next couple of years, so I can work with him and he is going to get better.”
The Ridgers were forced to forfeit many bouts because of a lack of wrestlers. But Southerland is optimistic for next season, with a promising crop of current eighth-graders coming into the program.
“I am looking forward to the younger kids from eighth grade,” he said. “I expect my younger guys to step up. I think in the lower and middle weights we will be fine and will try to fill the upper weights to fill out the team.”
Southerland was proud of the camaraderie this season.
“They always pushed each other and always cheered for each other,” said Southerland of his team. “Overall, I am happy with the season. I wished we would have had more wins. But I know the sport can be a battle of attrition. But I am proud of my guys. They worked hard and pushed each other. I am extremely proud of this team.”

Worrall Community Newspapers

2009-10 All-Area Wrestling

Weight Name School Year
103 Bobby Trombetta Nutley Freshman
103 Chris Rosetti Bloomfield Junior
103 Nick Spitaletta Glen Ridge Freshman
103 Oscar Cabrera Belleville Senior
103 Khari Jarrett Columbia Soph.
112 Chris Lantz Bloomfield Senior
112 Justin Colon Belleville Sophomore
112 Harwin Wong West Orange Senior
119 Frank DeLorenzo Nutley Senior
119 Andrew Adams Columbia Junior
119 Rick Gencarelli Belleville Soph.
125 Michael Ferinde Nutley Junior
125 Desalegne Fried West Orange Soph.
125 Alex Lopez Columbia Junior
125 Alexander Reeves Irvington Junior
130 Michael Veneziano Bloomfield Freshman
130 Vin Scuttaro Nutley Senior
130 David Goldenberg Columbia Senior
135 John Grimaldi Glen Ridge Senior
135 Connor Chauncey Bloomfield Senior
135 Dante Montes Nutley Senior
135 Jake Drappi West Orange Senior
140 Fabian Rosario Bloomfield Senior
140 Jake Mulinge West Orange Senior
140 Brandon Keena Nutley Freshman
145 Romario Herbert Irvington Sophomore
145 Ian Chauncey Bloomfield Sophomore
145 Marc Corino Belleville Junior
145 Karim Singleton West Orange Senior
152 Cavan Penberthy Bloomfield Junior
152 Evan O’Keefe Glen Ridge Senior
152 Joseph Anello Belleville Sophomore
152 Hakim Williams West Orange Senior
160 Vinny Angelone West Orange Senior
160 Mark Borcan Bloomfield Senior
160 Nick Fruncillo Belleville Freshman
171 Joe Finkler Bloomfield Junior
171 Nick Gaeta Nutley Sophomore
171 Anthony Angelone West Orange Soph.
189 Emeka Ndichie Bloomfield Senior
189 Pascal Louis West Orange Junior
189 Omar Shabazz Columbia Junior
215 Chase Hamilton Belleville Senior
215 Aleks Berman West Orange Senior
HWT Christian Marinaro Bloomfield Senior
HWT Emiliano Betancor West Orange Junior
HWT James Goode Columbia Senior

Wrestlers of the Year: Chris Lantz, Bloomfield; Emiliano Betancor, West Orange
Coach of the Year: Stephan Zichella, West Orange
Editor’s note: The All-Area is selected by the Essex County sports staff of Worrall Community Newspapers and consists of schools in the WCN publishing area of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Nutley, Orange, South Orange, West Orange and Vailsburg. The athletes chosen also must reside in those municipalities.