Delbarton Middle School's winter sports teams have achieved remarkable success this season, securing championships across wrestling, hockey, and basketball this year.

Wrestling Dominance

The middle school wrestling team showcased exceptional talent at the Middle School Championships on February 12 at Newark Academy. Facing competitors from Newark Academy, Pingry, Peck, and Rutgers Prep, Delbarton crowned four individual champions and had one runner-up:

• Robert (Bobby) Checchio (150+ lbs): Dominated his first match with a first-period pin. In the finals, he secured an early takedown, leading to a victory.

• John Kinney (109-115 lbs): Achieved first-period pins throughout the tournament, maintaining his undefeated season.

• John Matter (95-99 lbs): Pinned his initial opponent in the opening period and won the finals by technical fall in the second period.

• Marco Priore (100-108 lbs): Continued his dominance with first-period pins, concluding an undefeated season.

• Dean Erskine (125-135 lbs): Secured a second-place finish in his inaugural wrestling season, demonstrating significant growth and determination.
  
  

Coach Chris Costa praised the team's dedication, highlighting the impressive performances of both seasoned and first-time wrestlers. Notably, Bobby Checchio concluded his middle school wrestling career undefeated at 12-0, despite only beginning the sport in 7th grade. Similarly, John Matter and Marco Priore finished their seasons undefeated, setting a promising foundation for the program's future.

Hockey Triumph

The middle school hockey team demonstrated resilience and skill throughout their season, culminating in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) in the championship game. Jersey Mike's Athlete of the Week Alex Wu scored the game winner from an incredible angle, while logging over 30 minutes of ice time in the final game.  Remarkably, the team achieved an impressive 8-2 record despite having only nine players on the roster. This undersized squad showcased exceptional teamwork and endurance, overcoming the challenges of a short bench to secure the title.  Great play all season long from Gavin Pasic, Patrick Hennessy, Aidan O'Gwen and more!

Basketball Victory

The basketball team concluded their season with a commendable 9-7 record. Their determination and hard work paid off in the Greater Morris Junior School Coaches Association (GMJSCA) tournament, where they faced Rockaway Boro in the final. In a competitive matchup, Delbarton emerged victorious, clinching the championship and highlighting the team's growth and perseverance throughout the season.  The boys were trailing in the first half, but fought back after halftime, coming away with a 40-33 win.  The team leaned heavily on the play of Hunter Riley, Sean Curtis and Alex Castellano this year when they needed a big basket or defensive stop.

Delbarton Middle School's winter sports achievements reflect the dedication of its student-athletes and coaching staff. The wrestling team's individual successes, the hockey team's resilience with a limited roster, and the basketball team's tournament triumph show that our athletic program is always ready to take on any and every challenge.