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The River Dell wrestling team enters the new season with a familiar mindset, which is to compete fiercely within their league.
While the team keeps its standards high year after year, individual wrestlers also bring their own ambitions, whether it’s qualifying for the state tournament for the first time or chasing a championship.
Depth is expected to be one of River Dell’s greatest assets. With a lineup packed with talent across multiple weight classes, the team has the flexibility to shift wrestlers around without losing momentum.
“When you work as a team and aim for team goals, the individual goals often follow,” said Coach Baranello, who begins his eighth year as head coach after taking over from his old coach and present athletic director, Mr. Tota, at the end of 2018.
A major focus in training has been chain wrestling, which is the ability to flow smoothly from one technique to the next.
The team emphasizes constant motion, aggressive scoring from every position, and maintaining a relentless pace from whistle to whistle.
Conditioning remains a daily priority, with drills designed to build endurance, supplemented by strength sessions in the weight room and recovery yoga to keep the athletes healthy.
“The best form of conditioning for wrestling is wrestling itself with intensity,” said Baranello.
Preseason preparation during the summer months included attending the TCNJ Wrestling Camp, where the team gained valuable experience through 15 to 20 matches in just four days.
River Dell also hosted more than 20 teams for summer duals, giving wrestlers even more competitive reps ahead of the season.
“The duals are always exciting and get really intense,” said junior wrestler Jayden Rodriguez.
As league competition approaches, matchups with Pascack Hills and Westwood stand out. After last year’s three-way tie for the league title, these rivalries promise to bring intensity and plenty of excitement to the mat once again.
