Weekend for the Wild: Wrestling has Super Sunday in Morris Township

Colonial Ronin Flynn (left) sizes up his Madison opponent before he sets up for a shot. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Colonial Ronin Flynn (left) sizes up his Madison opponent before he sets up for a shot. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
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Fourth-grade Colonial Joey Badolato was ready to reign! Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Fourth-grade Colonial Joey Badolato was ready to reign! Photo by Maryanne Saxon

By Maryanne Saxon

The Broncos and Panthers were not the only wild competitors this past Super Bowl Sunday.

The Morristown Junior Colonial Wrestling Club hosted the annual King Of the Mat Championship for all local elementary aged wrestlers.

Both Frelinghuysen Middle School gymnasiums were crawling with Chatham Cougars, Hanover Park Bobcats and Randolph Rams. All were ready for the ferocious fight to see who ultimately would be KING.

Hanover Park Bobcats came ready to conquer and crown a few kings. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Hanover Park Bobcats came ready to conquer and crown a few kings. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

Of course, as we learned in our history books, there is no beast more wild than a fighting Colonial. For 240 years and counting,  Morristown Colonials continue to fight with heart and grit, and are able to hold their own among their ferocious competitors.

Colonial Ronin Flynn (left) sizes up his Madison opponent before he sets up for a shot. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Colonial Ronin Flynn (left) sizes up his Madison opponent before he sets up for a shot. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Motown Grapplers huddled before the afternoon session with Coach Curnow and Coach DiDomenico to discuss techniques to take down their opponents. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Motown Grapplers huddled before the afternoon session with Coach Curnow and Coach DiDomenico to discuss techniques to take down their opponents. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

Adam Jackson, president of the Motown Grapplers, was very pleased with the tourney and credited KOM coordinators Joe Rivera and Erik Langsdorf for the success of the day.

“Joe and Erik did an excellent job.  Folks seemed very upbeat and happy with the outcome of the tournament and that was largely due to their hard work and diligence in managing the many activities that are required before the actual event.  They worked together as a team and the results showed.  Great Job!!”

This was Rivera and Langsdorf’s first year organizing the all-day wrestling event which hosts a minimum of two matches for approximately 300 young wrestlers.

“There’s a lot of effort that goes into making the KOM tournament happen.  It’s all worth it when you see the families from Morristown and surrounding communities come together to support youth wrestling.  We have many passionate folks in our program, making this event a success is really a labor of love for us all,” Jackson said.

Setting up the event takes lots of hours and even more hands. Jackson was very grateful for all who helped set up an arena fit for kings.

“What makes this tournament such a special event for our organization is the level of volunteerism we receive from our grappler families.  Without their help we obviously wouldn’t be able to put on such a successful event and fundraiser.  It was especially great to see new faces contributing to the different activities that are essential for the KOM’s success,” from staffing the registration- and medal tables to organizing the mats.

“It’s my hope that each year we can continue to see more and more new faces contributing to our organization in this way. Thank you,” Jackson said.

Timing is everything in a wrestling match, thankfully, on mat 4- the clock was in the hands of trustworthy clock keepers- (L-R) Colin Smith, Connor Joel, Aidan Watson, Eric Jackson and Anthony Casale.) Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Timing is everything in a wrestling match, thankfully, on mat 4- the clock was in the hands of trustworthy clock keepers- (L-R) Colin Smith, Connor Joel, Aidan Watson, Eric Jackson and Anthony Casale.) Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Nadar Bros- Noah and Joseph celebrate the start of Noah’s 2016 reign as KOM at 69 lbs. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
Nadar Bros- Noah and Joseph celebrate the start of Noah’s 2016 reign as KOM at 69 lbs. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
The tourney  was a family affair for the Curnow clan. Sean (age 8) and Evan (age 6) competed; Dad, DJ, coached; mom, Rachel, cheered and hugged. Not shown: Leah (age 11). who helped sell tickets for the 50/50 fundraiser. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
The tourney was a family affair for the Curnow clan. Sean (age 8) and Evan (age 6) competed; Dad, DJ, coached; mom, Rachel, cheered and hugged. Not shown: Leah (age 11). who helped sell tickets for the 50/50 fundraiser. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

Wrestlers compete as individuals, yet the sport builds camaraderie like no other- ~Cael Sanderson

At this year’s KOM tournament, the Motown Grappling community organized a 50/50 raffle in honor of Jared Platt, a local wrestler who recently lost his battle with cancer.

Before the morning and afternoon matches, the crowd joined in a moment of silence to honor Platt: Family man, coach and warrior. Some $550 will be given to Platt’s family thanks to the generosity of the KOM families.

The sport of wrestling is quite a contradiction. A match begins with a handshake, but at the sound of a whistle, it quickly morphs into a battle of wills, a testing of heart and a fight for control.

Ultimately, when the grappling is over, wrestlers end with an embrace signifying respect and appreciation for the other’s fight.  The brutal contest on the mat rarely leaves the mat. In fact, quite the opposite. A wrestling community is a tight-knit clan. Honor, love and respect is felt for all those who participate, past, present and future.

Morristown Champs:

Nicholas Casale (54.2 lbs)

Bryan Dougherty (54.4 lbs)

Sean Curnow (65 lbs)

Noah Nader (69 lbs)

Kieran Valyocsik (75 lbs)

Jeremy Bocchino (80 lbs)

Anthony Casale (86 lbs)

Henry Saxon (91 lbs)

Cainaan DiDomenico (92 lbs)

Freddie Saxon (126 lbs)

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