What a difference a year can make. Last season, the Rumson-Fair Haven (RFH) Jr. Bulldog wrestlers competed, for the first time, in the very competitive Jersey Shore Junior Wrestling League (JSJWL). They ended with an overall record of 2-13 in 15th place out of the 16 teams in the B Division.
While thatwas a disappointing season by the their record, the young wrestlers understood it was a building year, and what a building year it was.
This season, the Jr. Bulldogs sport an 8- 5 overall record, including 4-1 in the B Division Liberty, putting them in second place. The top four teams in B Division-Liberty qualify for the playoffs and that would be a spectacular achievement to make the playoffs in their second season.
The Jr. Bulldog Wrestling Club is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to promote the sport of wrestling in the towns of Rumson and Fair Haven. The organization has been in existence since the 1970s, but was not active for a number of years prior to 2006.
In 2006, Andy Scheffer of Rumson, a former wrestler for American University, with the assistance of Ken Iwama, a former RFH High School and University of New Hampshire wrestler, took the initiative and breathed life back into the organization. The first few years for this new program saw the Jr. Bulldogs competing on an informal basis with other towns in the shore area. In 2009, the Jr. Bulldogs were asked to join the very competitive JSJWL. Scheffer and his crew accepted the invitation and have not looked back.
In 2009, not only did the Jr. Bulldogs expand their schedule, by joining the JSJWL, they also expanded the program. The program formerly accepted only wrestlers in the fourth through eighth grade. The RFH Jr. Bulldogs now boast a team of 78 athletes from first through eighth grade. Paul Jordan of Fair Haven, a former University of Virginia wrestler, leads the first- through thirdgrade program, which serves as a fun and instructional introduction to wrestling.
“The addition of the first- through thirdgrade program allows a young wrestler to get some experience before they begin competing at the JSJWLlevel,” said Scheffer. “This program has made a significant difference in how the team is performing this year and how it will perform in the future.”
Marcus Iwama, who is 13-0 with six pins, has led the Jr. Bulldogs this season. He is followed closely by Cole Bisaccia, 9-4, five pins; Jamie Laughinghouse, 9-2, four pins; and Shay Addison, 8-5, four pins.
The Jr. Bulldogs have been competing and succeeding in wrestling tournaments around the state, such as the South Plainfield Fall Classic: Liam Horan, second place; — Voorhees Turkey Day Tournament: Alex Maldjian, first place; Liam Horan, second place; and Jack Nolan, third place; — Wall Holiday Tournament: Marcus Iwama, second place; Liam Horan, second place; Dylan Avino, third place; — Southern Regional Ram Tough Tournament: Liam Horan, fourth place.
The JSJWL individual championships are Feb. 20 at Shore Regional High School. The Bulldogs have several wrestlers who could win medals there.
To find out more about the Jr. Bulldogs’ program visit rfhjuniorbulldogwrestling.com.