For the first time in its history, the Verona Junior Wrestling team took home the team championship at the county tournament on Sunday at Livingston High School. Ten of the squad’s wrestlers, who are elementary and middle school students, finished in the top three of their weight class and 14 finished in the top five, and many of Verona’s wins were by pin.
There were first place finishes by John Gabriele at 119 lbs and Frank Gabriele at 126. The wrestlers with second-place finishes were Frank Riggio (at 90 lbs), Maguire Pecci (95) and Billy Fauerbach, heavyweight. There were third place finishes by Nick Socci (60), Jayden Czupak (75), Nick Riggio (105), Tommy Kellner (100) and Anthony Zamloot (112).
Matt DiDia (135) and Matt Feiger (145) both had fourth place finishes and Sam Zamloot (70) and Owen Fogarty (80) got fifth place in their weight class.
Three Verona Junior Wrestling members also placed in the North Jersey League Tournament in Pequannock on Sunday. Ryan Hajtovik took first, and Ryan Huze and Michael Matarazzo placed second.
