Colleen Purtell-Tappen
Morristown High School’s wrestling home opener was a match to savor.
Despite missing six starters on Friday, the Colonials wrestled to a 50-24 victory against Wallkill Valley, impressing an Alumni Night crowd that included former wrestlers and youth members of the Mo-Town Grapplers Club and Frelinghuysen Middle School.
But even more impressive was Saturday’s first-place finish in the Bordentown Team Tournament.
Still missing four starters, Morristown need a great all-around effort and that’s what it got. MHS accumulated team points throughout the lineup and had wrestlers bumping up in weight at the higher levels taking on some monstrous challenges.
Morristown defeated a tough Linden squad and a hard-fighting group from Burlington City before eventually dethroning last year’s top finisher, Clayton High School.
Alexis Villegas was named Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament.
The team would like to thank its local sponsors, including J&J Taxi (owned by MHS alumni and former wrestler Jimmy Jones), Turf Tech’s Landscaping (owned by MHS alumni Randy Shupe), Pete’s Pizza Restaurant & Pub, The Rattlesnake Cantina, Strawberry Fields Frozen Yogurt, Cluck-U Chicken of Morristown, Morristown Bagel & Deli, Plaza Barber Shop (owned by MHS alumni Gerry Russo & Family), Tito’s Burritos, The Taco Truck, Jersey Boy Bagel and J&S Designer Flooring.
The next home match is Jan. 16 against West Morris. Morristown will host a dual meet with the MoTown Grapplers Club and all proceeds from the night’s match will support Pin Cancer.
Colleen Purtell-Tappen is a member of the MHS Wrestling Boosters.
