Immaculata’s wrestling team building success in first season

Since Immaculata High School, Somerville, opened its doors in 1962, students at the parochial, coeducational institution have wrestled with challenges ranging from chemistry tests to competing in a variety of sports.

Immaculata began its first season of wrestling Dec. 15 when it hosted Kellenberg Memorial High School of Uniondale, N.Y.

Although the Spartans thrilled their vocal supporters by gaining a 29-16 lead, Kellenberg rallied in the upper weight classes to earn a 40-35 victory.

The result was the first of four consecutive dual meet defeats for the Spartans under head coach Rodney Van Ness. But five weeks later, they flexed their now seasoned skills to earn a 54-18 victory over visiting North Plainfield High to improve their record to 6-4.

Immaculata athletic director Tom Gambino said principal Ed Webber deserves the credit for bringing the sport to the school, which serves about 540 students, including 260 boys.

“He saw what it could do and was the one who basically said, ‘Let’s get this done,’” Gambino said. “We had 15 kids here today as our guests: seventh and eighth graders who are interested in our program, so I think it will continue to grow … And it was the perfect storm to get Rodney Van Ness – an All-American [wrestler] at Rutgers [University, New Brunswick] and two-time [team] captain.”

Starting a wrestling program had been discussed by school officials over the years because there was interest.

“But we had to have someone who would put it on the budget, take a chance,” Gambino said. “Wrestling is an expensive sport. The mat they are wrestling on right now cost about eight grand [$8,000].”

According to Immaculata’s website, Van Ness, co-owner and operator of the Rhino Wrestling Club in Hillsborough, was a 1992 state medalist for Somerville High School. He posted a 113-35 career record at Rutgers. Before coming to Immaculata, he served for 23 years at Somerville High as a head coach and volunteer and assistant coach.

Five of Immaculata’s 14 starters have experience, said Van Ness, who lauded the support of the school’s administration, especially Webber and Gambino.

The Spartans are competing against teams in the Skyland Conference this season.

“What I try to preach to the kids,” Van Ness said, “is when they step on the lines by themselves, what they do in the practice room is going to show up out there because you are going to be exposed out on the mat.

“My goal is to give them tough love, work them hard in the wrestling room, push them to their limits so when they come out here, they are not embarrassed at the result.”

In Immaculata’s first match Dec. 15, freshman Luke Schenkel earned an early lead in the 106-pound weight class but lost to Hunter Miller by a fall.

Schenkel, who is competing in the sport for the first time, said learning and memorizing moves are the biggest challenges.

As for whether he felt the weight of being the first varsity wrestler in school history to compete, he said, “Not really. I just kind of went out there and had fun.”

At 113 pounds, Immaculata’s Derek Sutphen won by default to tie the match at 6. Freshman tri-captain Ryan Goldstein followed at 120 pounds with a 13-2 major decision over Mark Chernaski.

Goldstein has been wrestling for 11 years, including five at Rhino Wrestling Club. As of the North Plainfield match, he had won more than 20 victories and lost only one, Van Ness said.

After the Dec. 15 match, Goldstein said: “I am excited and proud of our team, the way we came out and fought. I know we didn’t get the victory tonight, but I think we will do some good things this season.”

In the match with North Plainfield, Immaculata senior tri-captain Adam Bowles recorded a pin to improve his season record to 8-0 at the time. A transfer from South Plainfield High School, Bowles had to sit out the first three weeks of the season as required by regulations.

As a junior at South Plainfield, he reached the finals of the NJSIAA Region 4 finals and the first round of the state tournament. His goal this season is to win a state title.

“We are definitely getting better day by day,” said Bowles, who will attend Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., and play football in the fall.

“He [Van Ness] loves making sure we are getting better,” Bowles added. “Like he says, ‘Build a house: brick by brick.’”