About 10 years ago, the once-proud and strong North Bergen Recreation Wrestling Program fell dormant. Participation dropped severely and there weren’t enough qualified volunteer coaches to keep the program alive.
“It was shut down, no program at all,” said North Bergen High School Coach Jerry Maietta, who was enrolled in the program as a youngster. “It was sad not having a feeder system.”
But then, with the help of dedicated people like now-Commissioner Allen Pascual, who was a standout wrestler in his high school and collegiate days, as well as Maietta, who volunteers to oversee the program, the program was reinstituted, and is now flourishing.
With a host of dedicated volunteer coaches instructing hard working youngsters, the recreation team heads to the District Tournament Sunday at Becton Regional High School in East Rutherford with hopes of winning a championship.
Head Coach Sam Feliciano is excited about the team’s chances at the tournament.
“We’re doing a lot better than I thought we would this year,” Feliciano said. “We have a lot of new kids who came out for the team for the first time this year, but they’ve learned very quickly and done well. It seems as if everyone is peaking at the right time, so that’s a good sign.”
Several of the team members have good chances to earn championships this weekend, including Bobby Dubal, considered among the best youth wrestlers in the nation.
Dubal, a native of Guttenberg who won the 80-pound national championship a year ago, heads the team that will compete this weekend. Dubal is ranked No. 5 in the nation in his weight class.
“He’s basically fine tuned right now,” Feliciano said. “Bobby has won about five different tournaments this year. He’s not even thinking about last year. This year is this year.”
Feliciano’s son, Xavier, also known as “The X-Man,” is another standout wrestler. The 14-year-old Franklin School student is a 145-pound wrestler who has a 12-4 record this year.
“X has always been a practice-type wrestler,” Feliciano said. “He has to be able to concentrate this weekend.”
The team also has Ralph Lopez, also 14, who is a 180-pounder currently undefeated at 14-0. Jake Scanlon, 13, weighs 200 pounds and is a returning regional champion with a 7-2 record this year.
“I don’t know what they’re fed at home, but we certainly don’t mind,” Feliciano said. “They’re both doing an excellent job.”
Another promising wrestler is Mayco Diaz, a 119-pound 14-year-old, who has a 15-1 record and is a favorite to win a gold medal this weekend.
“It’s only his second year wrestling,” Feliciano said. “Mayco has really picked it up well.”
Vinnie DiMartino, with a 12-2 record, is the top wrestler in the midget age/weight class. He was the 55-pound champion a year ago.
Feliciano said that he has been blessed with the help of assistant coaches Tony, Nelson and Joe Cruz, who are brothers, and Doug Gonzalez.
“I just lie back and let them work their magic,” Feliciano said. “It’s really been a big help this year. I also have been getting help from other parents as well. It’s worked out much better this year.”
Maietta applauds the efforts. He has coached former recreation wrestlers like Ronnie Palmieri and George Dubal, Bobby’s older brother, in the past, and has members on his North Bergen High School team such as Steve Rodriguez, Eric Junco, and Alex Vasquez from the recreation program.
“Any time you have kids being successful in wrestling, it makes you feel good,” Maietta said. “I’m excited that they’re doing well because it’s important for us to have a feeder program. It’s the only way to be competitive on the high school level. They’re all doing a great job and have a great work ethic.”
The winners Sunday move on to next week’s tournament at Union High School, and then the state tournament will be held March 16.