Sports

Wrestling With Winning Ways

Peyton Smith, Editor-in-Chief|February 28, 2017

This season has been one to remember for the West Orange wrestling team. The team finished the 2016-2017 season with a 12-6 record, senior captain Victor Lopez broke the school record for wins, and Stephan Zichella won his 200th match as head wrestling coach at WOHS.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, Lopez pinned Andrew Kyper of Roxbury high school in the 120 lb weight class to secure his 127th career win. Lopez broke Tommy Lorenzo’s record of 126 career wins, which has stood since 2006.

Victor Lopez after winning his 127th match

“Victor is one of the greatest wrestlers to come out of the West Orange wrestling program,” said co-captain Abraham Dada. “He has this fire in him that grows every time he steps on the mat, and this distinguishes him from other great wrestlers.”

In addition to having the most career wins of any WOHS wrestler, Lopez has won his fourth district championship and he is the only Mountaineer to ever accomplish this feat. After winning the 113-lb division at the Region Three Wrestling Tournament held at WOHS on Feb. 25, Victor has earned a spot in the NJSIAA Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on March 3, 4 and 5. At press time, Lopez had extended the school record to 134 wins.

Victor Lopez after winning the Region Three Wrestling Tournament at WOHS

While reflecting on Victor’s career, Zichella said, “Victor is a fierce competitor, he loves competing, especially on a bigger stage. This is where most athletes get nervous or scared, but Victor excels. He has put so much time into wrestling and it’s a big part of his life. Victor has also grown into an exceptional leader over the past four years. He will surely be missed.”

This season was Zichella’s 14th as head wrestling coach at WOHS and he is the most successful head coach that the Mountaineers have had. Zichella is also the first to have broken the 200-win threshold.

“Zichella is a great wrestling coach, but he’s an even better role model and person. He builds teams of character and dedication, the winning just happens to follow. He definitely deserves it and we’re all very happy for him,” said senior captain Andrei Rosu.

Zichella was surprised to have won 200 matches. “It’s not something I keep track of. I love coaching and it’s never about the wins. It’s about kids and the experience they get with this amazing sport. This team has great models in my assistant coaches, who help guide them in their journies. I never thought I’d get to 200 wins…I guess I’m in bonus territory.”