On December 21, 2019, Edison High School hosted its annual Edison Classic Wrestling Tournament. This event marked a major victory for Edison, as it was the first win in several years for this specific tournament. This victory included five individual first place winners, as well as two second place winners and one third place winner.

Several schools attended this event, including Arthur L. Johnson High School, Carteret High School, Edison, JFK, J.P. Stevens, Metuchen High School, Verona High School, and Edison’s most significant rival in the tournament, Manville High School. Manville is a team that has taken the win from the Eagles for several years, but this year was different. The Edison Classic demonstrated the rising talent of Edison wrestling for years to come. Two freshmen– Evan Mendez ’23 (126 pounds) and Julien Dawson ’23 (106 pounds)– each won a gold medal. Other first place winners included Alejandro Avellan ‘21 (182 pounds), Wilber Ramirez-Gomez ’20 (220 pounds), and Brendyn Challenger ’20 (160 pounds). Although the whole team showed great tenacity and contributed to a team win, second place winners Jack Bills ‘21 and Joseph Caliguiro ’20, and third place winner Juan Betances ‘21, are each worth mentioning for their great efforts.

Edison finished the tournament with 97 points to place first, followed by Manville with 88, and Metuchen with 84. This tournament– as well as several victories in dual meets– signifies an exciting start to the season. Edison wrestling, marked by no standout wrestlers, has an exciting future, and each one of the events is worth your attendance.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Tre’von Trapp ’21