Millstone wrestlers earn sportsmanship award

The Millstone Township recreation wrestlers earned the Grapevine League's Sportsmanship Award for the 2009-10 season. MILLSTONE — The township's recreation wrestling program has received the Grapevine League's Sportsmanship Award for the 2008-09 season.

The recognition is the only team award that the league gives out each season. League officials have presented Millstone wrestling coaches Rich Williams (grades K-2) and Rich Giglia (grades three through eight) with two trophies commemorating the accomplishment, according to Giglia.

The first trophy has the names of all the past winners on it and is held by the current winning team throughout the next season when it passes on to the next winning team. The Millstone wrestling program gets to keep the second trophy.

Giglia said that winning matches and tournaments is one thing, but demonstrating respect for opponents, one another, and everyone else involved is something the kids should carry with them the rest of their lives.

"It takes a lot of courage for these boys to go out on the mat, one on one with an opponent they have never met in front of a cheering crowd," he said. "The manner in which they have conducted themselves, win or lose, has represented our township well."

Williams said it is quite an honor for the referees from the 37 towns that make up the Grapevine League to have chosen Millstone for the award.

"I'm not very big on awards but this is truly a team and community award, shared by all of you," he said. "This was awarded to you and your children and represents how well respected the Millstone wrestlers and parents are throughout the league. You should be proud of yourselves and your young wrestlers."

Millstone's Zippi Bavarsky, whose son Jake wrestles for the recreation team, said the award is a direct reflection of the coaching staff.

"This year was the first year that Jake was involved in wrestling so I guess we were the lucky ones joining such a wonderful team," Bavarsky said. "Thanks to everyone — coaches, parents, families, and wrestlers who made the whole experience fantastic. Looking forward to next year."

Coach Steve Weitz, who has been with the program for seven years and has three sons wrestling, said Deputy Mayor Bob Kinsey and everyone in the recreation department has given the wrestling program a tremendous amount of support.

Kinsey, the Township's Committee's liaison to the recreation department, said the continued success of the wrestling program is the direct result of the coaches and parents working together to teach the children the most important aspects of competition —respect and good sportsmanship.

"The township salutes the wrestling programand is honored to have such a fine group of people represent Millstone Township," Kinsey said. "You make Millstone proud."

Giglia said the Millstone recreation wrestling program and the Grapevine League accommodate wrestlers of all levels. Each week, wrestlers are paired with opponents their own age, weight and experience level.

"So it's never too late to start," he said, adding that many wrestlers in the recreation program go on to compete outside of the Grapevine League, earning gold medals and state titles.

For more information about the township's wrestling program, visit www.millstone. nj.us or call 732-446-4249 and ask about the upcoming summer clinic.