The shore area clearly has become the hot spot in New Jersey when it comes to high school wrestling so last night’s Region 6 Wrestling Banquet took on the theme of a giant celebration of greatness. A few hundred attended the annual event at the Robert B. Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center which is hosted by the Region 6 Coaches and is truly a wonderful way to end the long season. All wrestlers who finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the regionals are not only invited but given awards and nearly all of them were in attendance. There were special tributes to the six New Jersey State Champions…Vin DelleFave (TR East), Mike Morales & Steve Santos (Brick Memorial), Nick Visicaro (Long Branch), Glenn Carson (Southern) and Jimmy Lawson (Manchester). In addition Long Branch coach Dan George was honored as the Coach of the Year and his Green Wave team saluted for finishing #1 in the state.
It was the first time I attended the annual banquet and I was there to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which while not deserved is greatly appreciated. I was selected by the committee for my contributions to the sport over the three decades I have worked at WOBM and I am humbled and grateful for the honor. However it was the other Hall of Famers honored last night who best symbolize a sport which tests dedication and desire like no other. Toms River East coach Warren Reid and former Central Regional coach Pat Lynch were both introduced by their sons, which in itself is truly special. Glenn Carson Sr. was inducted as a College All-American from his days at Trenton State and he was also introduced by his better-known son and state champ Glenn Carson Jr. Former TR East champion Vin Salek,
Ex-CBA standout Dave Santamaria and former coach and official Ray Visbeck made up the rest of the class of 2009….a group brought down by my presence.
It was a terrific evening filled with many highlights, including a tremendous introduction speech of Carson by his coach John Stout. Special thanks to Region 6 President Rob Nucci of Raritan and Master of Ceremonies Denny D’Andrea for allowing me to be a part of it.
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