After graduating a host of quality wrestlers from a year ago, veteran North Bergen wrestling coach Jerry Maietta didn’t know what to expect from the Bruins this season.
But Maietta did like the work ethic of the Bruins.
“The guys have all been working hard throughout the offseason,” said Maietta, who is now in his 18th season as the head coach of the Bruins. Maietta also doubles as the school’s athletic director. “We have guys who have been with us for four years who couldn’t crack the lineup before. But they are now having an impact with the team’s success. It’s finally their shot.”
At least seven current members of Bruins’ lineup were not regular varsity contributors last season, but they’re making their presence felt this time around, as the Bruins currently own an incredible 11-1 record and own the top seed in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group V sectional bracket as the cutoff for playoff qualifying approaches in two weeks.
“We returned some varsity guys from last year, but others had to wait for their turns,” said Maietta, who is approaching the 250-win milestone of his career, tops in North Bergen history. “I talked to this group of seniors when they were freshmen and told them that wrestling is not a sport of instant gratification. You have to earn your spot. They trained hard for a long time. They’re wrestling hard and tough.”
Another key to the Bruins’ success is their ability to win close matches. It means that the Bruins are staying away from getting pinned, which gives up six team points, and are remaining close, giving the team a better chance to win.
“We talk about bonus points,” Maietta said. “A lot of time, you can win seven matches and lose seven, but still win the match as a team because you didn’t give the opponent bonus points.”
The Bruins defeated perennial powerhouses Kittatinny, Northern Valley-Old Tappan and Watchung Hills last weekend to get to 11 wins this season.
“It’s a nice surprise,” Maietta said. “They’re a fun group of kids to be around. They’re enjoyable to watch. It’s a good thing.”
Freshman Yousef Salem is the team’s 106-pounder who is wrestling heavier than his actual weight. Junior Danny Ortega is the team’s 113-pounder. Ortega was third in Region 4 last year and only has three losses this season, two coming in the George Jockish Bergen County Holiday Tournament last month.
“He’s having a nice season for us,” Maietta said. “Last year was a pleasant surprise. His goal is to get back to Atlantic City [for the NJSIAA state championships]. He just has to keep grinding it.”
Senior Devin Garrido is the team’s 120-pounder. As a sophomore, Garrido was fourth in the region, but last year, he couldn’t crack the Bruins’ postseason lineup.
“He’s having a good year for us this season,” Maietta said of Garrido, who was fifth at the Bergen County tourney.
Senior Hossam Pawfik is the Bruins’ 126-pounder. Pawfik is one of the wrestlers who did not have any varsity experience before this year, but he’s a major part of the lineup this season.
Al Taha is a 132-pound sophomore who is only his second year of wrestling and his first with the varsity. Senior Leonard Garcia is the Bruins’ 138-pounder who is another getting his first real chance at varsity wrestling.
Sophomore Mike Mejia, the goaltender for the North Bergen soccer team that reached the Hudson County Tournament finals last fall, is the team’s 145-pounder. Mejia is a transfer from Union City.
Senior Jeff Rivera is the Bruins’ 152-pounder. Rivera has been a four-year member of the North Bergen varsity who advanced to the Region 4 tourney three times. He was also second in the District 16 tourney twice. Maietta expects big things from Rivera this season.
Senior Antonio Alvarez is at 160 pounds. Alvarez is yet another who has earned a place in the lineup this season for the first time. Junior Leo Subiza is a three-year varsity starter who was fourth in the Bergen holiday tourney at 170 pounds.
Senior Amahurys Corrales is the team’s 182-pounder who was third at District 16 last season. Senior Alec Sierra is an undersized 195-pounder who is also wrestling against bigger competition.
Senior Justin Gomez is one of the Bruins’ mainstays at 220 pounds. Gomez was third in the Region 4 tourney last year, punching his ticket to Atlantic City.
“His goal this year is to get back there,” Maietta said.
Senior Dave Medina is the team’s heavyweight.
The program was having a special celebration Friday night, celebrating 50 years of North Bergen wrestling with several alumni expected to be in attendance as the Bruins were slated to face Jefferson. Maietta said that he was able to spread the word to wrestling alumni through Facebook and the turnout was expected to be heavy with a reception afterwards.
All in all, it’s been a special season for the North Bergen wrestling program. It’s been 50 years, but there hasn’t been one as surprising as this one. The Bruins won 20 matches twice in school history and could very well reach that total again this year, heading into the Hudson County Duals at Union City Feb. 8.
“We have to see how we do,” Maietta said. “I thought we could have a good year, but I didn’t expect this. It has been a pleasant surprise and a good thing to see.” …
St. Anthony’s boys’ basketball team enjoyed a huge win last Saturday, when the fabulous Friars toppled the Patrick School, 57-38, as part of the Dan Finn Classic at the Jersey City Armory. In that game, junior forward Taurean Thompson had 15 points and senior forward Markis McDuffie added 14.
The Friars then loaded up the bus and headed to the Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts to face Constitution of Pennsylvania, where the Friars escaped with a tough 57-56 win to improve to 10-1 overall. Junior guard Jagan Mosely had 15 points and McDuffie added 12. The Friars are moving in the right direction after their loss to Roselle Catholic two weeks ago…
Another team playing excellent basketball these days is Marist, which improved to 11-2 overall with a solid win over North Bergen. Logan Santiago, who used to play for North Bergen, torched his former teammates for 21 points and Mark Thomas added 20….
Getting lost in the shuffle a little is Weehawken, as the Indians have improved to 6-3 overall, thanks to a 16-point, 20-rebound performance from senior do-everything McKay LeDuke in a win over Becton Regional….
In girls’ basketball, undefeated Secaucus made it into the state’s top 20 last week, when the Patriots were ranked No. 17 overall.
The Patriots, now 13-0, defeated Ridgefield, 70-33, last week, thanks to Julia McClure’s 19 points and 14 rebounds and Andie Lennon’s 16 points and seven assists. Kristina Ulrich added 14 for the Pats, who just seem to get better with every passing game…
Hudson Reporter Boys’ H.S. Basketball Top Five: 1. St. Anthony (10-1). 2. Hudson Catholic (11-2). 3. Marist (11-2). 4. Snyder (9-4). 5. Bayonne (7-5)…
Hudson Reporter Girls’ H.S. Basketball Top Five: 1. Secaucus (13-0). 2. Lincoln (8-3). 3. Marist (8-2). 4. North Bergen (8-4). 5. Ferris (8-4)….–Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.