Caldwell Wrestler Tops Dad's Record

James Caldwell High School freshman Dean Caravela surpasses father's record set in 1986, as well as 2004 school record.

Breaking a school record is one way to make your parents proud. But what happens when that record was formerly held by your dad? James Caldwell High School wrestler Dean Caravela achieved 35 wins his freshman year, the most in a single season in the program’s history. It’s a record his father Tom Caravela set in 1986, when he went 29-3 as a senior grappler with the Chiefs. The record was challenged by Blake Maffei, Mike Kwapniewski and Steve Martell, the latter who went 33-0 in his 2004 state championship season. Asked this week if he feels badly about surpassing his dad’s record, the 14-year-old with dark cropped hair and a big smile which reveals his braces, shook his head, looked at his father and said, “No.” Tom responded, “I’ll tell …

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Caldwell, West Essex Wrestlers Compete in Atlantic City

Day 1 highlights from 2013 State Wrestling Tournament.

Caldwell, West Essex Wrestlers Head to Atlantic City

Local grapplers competing in 2013 NJSIAA State Wrestling Tournament.

One James Caldwell High School and two West Essex Regional High School wrestlers are on their way to Atlantic City Friday to compete in the NJSIAA State Wrestling Tournament this weekend. Freshman Dean Caravela will wrestle at 106 lbs. for the Chiefs. Caravela is 31-3 this season. He placed 1st in the Bloomfield and 13th District tournaments and 2nd in the Caldwell, Region 4 and Essex County tournaments, according to coach Gary Garamella.  West Essex wrestlers Carlo Zazzara and Mike Marotti, both seniors, will represent the Knights in the state tournament.  Zazzara is 23-0 and competes at 152 lbs. and Marotti recently captured the Region 4 Championship in West Orange at the 145 lb. weight class. The competition begins Friday, March 8, at 5…

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Caldwell Jr. Wrestling Impressive at County Tournament

Christian Dalla Riva holds record as four-time county champion.

The Caldwell Junior Wrestling Team placed fourth overall in the Suburban Essex Junior Wrestling League County Tournament held on Feb. 23 at West Orange High School. Each of the 13 teams in the county league sent their best wrestlers in 17 weight classes to vie for county champion. Christian Dalla Riva, an 8th grader, won a gold medal and holds the distinction of being a four-time county champion, better than any other Caldwell wrestler. Twins Alex and Darren Jones (6th graders) are now both three-time county champs. Their brother Jerry and sister Kayla are two-time silver medalists. Here are the results for Caldwell Junior wrestlers: Christian Dalla Riva 126 lbs. – Gold Medal Darren Jones 70 lbs. – Gold Medal Alex Jones 95 lbs. – Gold …

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N.J. Wrestlers Show Support for Newtown at 33rd Caldwell Tournament

Money and gear donated by teams across the state for family of Sandy Hook victim and his teammates.

The 33rd Annual Caldwell 8th Grade and Under Wrestling tournament took place on Sunday at James Caldwell High School. The event attracted 335 wrestlers from all over the tri-state area and included state and county champs from various areas. Caldwell had 35 wrestlers compete from ages 7 to 13.  In attendance were 13 wrestlers from the Newtown, Conn. Youth Wrestling Association. Their teammate, Jack Pinto, was a victim of the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.   The Caldwell Wrestling Club, co-sponsors of the event along with the West Caldwell-Caldwell Recreation Department, collected donations for the Pinto Family, which exceeded $2,500. Also collected were five boxes of wrestling gear from many of the towns represented to …

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Caldwell Wrestling Tournament to Air on MSG Varsity

This weekend's tournament will be televised.

The Caldwell Wrestling Tournament taking place this weekend at James Caldwell High School will be televised, according to MSG Varsity. The tournament begins on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 9 a.m., in West Caldwell. The finals are expected to take place between 4 and 5 p.m. Participating teams include Caldwell, Randolph, Hunterdon Central, Kittatinny, Somerville, West Deptford, Paramus, Hackettstown, St. Peter's Prep and Hanover Park. The tournament will air on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 9:30 p.m., on Optimum TV Channel 14.

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Caldwell Jr. Wrestling Impressive at Essex Tournament

Results from recent Suburban Essex Junior Wrestling League County Tournament.

The Suburban Essex Junior Wrestling League County Tournament took place on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Glen Ridge High School in Glen Ridge. The 13 teams in the league sent their best wrestlers in 16 different weight classes to vie for the title of county champion. This wrestling season has been one of great effort, determined hard work and unparalleled support for each other by the Caldwell—West Caldwell team. The tournament, which started around 9 a.m. and wrapped up around 6 p.m., was no different with 10 of the 16 weight classes having a Caldwell wrestler finish either first, second or third. The county tournament champions from Caldwell were: Darren Jones (at 70 lbs.), his twin, Alex Jones (at 90 lbs.), Dean Caravela (at 95 lbs.), Christian …

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uncle albert

7:53 am on Saturday, March 3, 2012

What happened to the pro photos taken at these events ??   more ›

Valeriani is King of the Region

West Essex heavyweight wins regional championship, two Knights advance to AC.

West Essex's Dominic Valeriani proved virtually impossible to bring to the mat on his way to a Region 4 Championship at West Orange High School on Saturday. The Knights heavyweight did not surrender a single takedown in three matches, getting a first round pin, a 3-1 and a 3-0 decision. In the final, Valeriani locked up with Nutley's Andre Hamlin and used a second round escape and a last second takedown to secure the 3-0 victory. The Knights did not have any other wrestlers reach the regional finals, but did have Anthony Pompei (138) take third place with a 3-1 win over Nicholas Pezzano, and earn a spot in the state championships in Atlantic City. After losing a 3-2 bout to Rutherford's John Boyle in the semis, Pompei wrestled back to beat…

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