The Patriots Wrestling team is back and ready to slam their competition down for the 2024-25 season. Led by head coach Jesse Heubel, the team looks to improve upon their 4-17 (1-6 Conference) record from last season. The previous campaign resulted in only one home win at the end of the season, a 42-30 rout of Central Regional. In addition, they are looking for their first winning season since 2021-22, where they finished 18-11 (2-6 Conference) under Heubel.
The season begins on December 11 at home against Toms River North. It is the only home match in the 2024 portion of the year. Following this, the team will take a whopping eight-match road trip from December 12 to January 8th. Opponents during the road trip consist of Midd North, Point Pleasant Beach (Doubleheader), Metuchen, and Central Regional in 2024. When 2025 hits, the road trip concludes with Dumont, Northern Burlington, and Barnegat.
The Patriots return home once again for a doubleheader against archrival Freehold Boro on January 10.
FTHS will compete in a Saturday-morning Demarest Invitational quad meet on January 11, featuring Demarest, Arthur L. Johnson, and Midd South.
A road trip of five matchups is scheduled for January 15-25. The Pats will visit Manalapan, Manchester (Doubleheader), and Lakewood (1/24-1/25 Doubleheader).
January closes out with a home match vs. Shore on the 27th, and the Patriots will remain home for the rest of the season afterward. Matchups for Asbury Park are both scheduled for February 1. Marlboro will be visiting the gym on February 4. Senior Day will be held on February 7 vs. Brick Township.
Representing the team’s senior class are Jaxon Zalepka (113), Christian Borromeo (120), Michael Anthony (126), Junior Alvarado (157), and Peter Greco (215).
Evan White is the only junior on the team, a member of the 132 weight class.
The sophomore class is made up of Nick Dalessio (138), Noah Bracho (150), David Sanchez-Marquez (165), Corrado Gozsa (175), Ibrokhim Maksudov (190), and Haniel Flores (Heavyweight).
The Pats also welcomed a duo of new freshmen onto the team: Romeo Tendencia and Giuseppe Romano. Tendencia is the lightest member of the team at 106, while Romano wrestles in the 144 weight class.
In the gymnasium, fans can find some more seniors being honored with banners atop the ceiling. Among these are Lock Haven commits, Danielle Forlenza, and Maeve Witte, along with others Justin Alas, Sophia Santorelli, Cristian Nava, Anthony Aca, Peter Gozsa, Tyree Unger, Xavier Ore, Rosie Kearns, and Dante Natendaze. They each bring a large presence to the team and make sure they are putting in the effort each and every day.
Who will contribute the most to the team this season? How will Township do? All we can do is sit back and find out. Stay classy, Patriot Nation!
