Belleville's David Guerra wins Essex County wrestling title
For the first time in four years, Belleville High has a county wrestling champion in David Guerra.
Belleville's David Guerra wins Essex County wrestling title For the first time in four years, Belleville High has a county wrestling champion in David Guerra. Check out this story on northjersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/belleville/2019/01/22/belleville-guerra-essex-wrestling-title/2635615002/
Mike Lamberti, Correspondent Published 9:28 a.m. ET Jan. 22, 2019
David Guerra became Belleville's first county champion since 2015. (Photo: Belleville High wrestling/Special to Belleville Times)
For the first time in four years, Belleville High has a county wrestling champion.
David Guerra captured gold at 145 pounds at the 45th Essex County tournament on Jan. 18 at Codey Arena in West Orange. Guerra is the first county champion for the Blue and Gold since Jordan Greene won the 160-pound crown in 2015. He is also just the second county champ from Belleville in the last seven years, with Justin Colon winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Colon is also the last Belleville wrestler, to date, to compete and earn a medal at the NJSIAA championships in 2012.
Belleville coach Joe Pizzi was proud of Guerra's effort, as well as his team, which turned in a good performance.
"As we approached the Essex County tournament, we were already down a few wrestlers from the previous weeks," said Pizzi. "(Team captain) Senior Gabe DiPalma has had a serious shoulder injury and has been out for the last month. He has still taken his role as a leader seriously, as he attends all practices and matches, doing whatever he can for his teammates. Chris Freid, a junior 220-pounder, with an 8-4 record, has also sustained a shoulder injury and will most likely miss the rest of the season. Joston Gomez, a junior at 195 pounds, who is 9-3, sustained a knee injury and is hoping to be back in time to finish the season. Finally, Alisa Safforld, our 106-pounder, with an 8-5 record, has had a concussion and must go through the protocol to ensure it is safe to return to the mat.
"I am mentioning this because even through hardships and adversity, our team has fought tooth and nail to back one another up and respond as a team in duals and in tournaments."
Pizzi noted the strong performances of freshman Luis Petrozzino, at 106, sophomore Angel Petrozzino (113), Brandon Costello (126), Josh Dabon (132), who placed fourth in the county tournament, senior captain Derek Lombardi (152) and Hakim Fennell, who placed fourth in the county at 160.
Guerra, a junior captain, was certainly a key story for the team last Friday. He clinched the championship, avenging an earlier loss to Columbia's Devin Rocha, by securing a pin, in overtime.
"David truly stood out, defeating two opponents who had 21-3 and 22-4 records, while improving his own record to 20-2," said Pizzi. "He won by fall, in overtime, and wrestled smart and aggressively, wearing his opponent down. David had a game plan prior to the match, and followed that plan with a hard-earned victory. He's an amazing young man, with mental and physical toughness that is unmatched. As a coaching staff, we are extremely proud of our young men, and women, and it is truly an honor to coach and mentor them each day. We will continue to work and get better as we approach our next opponent."
The Bucs were back in action for their Senior Night, on Jan. 23, to host Barringer. On. Jan. 30, the team visits Glen Ridge and Feb. 1, Nutley comes to town for the annual Jim Silvestri Memorial Wrestling Match, starting at 6 p.m.
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