From early-morning practices to late-night bus rides, from cheering at tournaments to helping new wrestlers learn their first moves, the signs of a strong community are everywhere in the KHS wrestling program. Teammates and coaches show up in full force, together creating the close-knit team that defines the 2025-26 season.
This season, the 2025-26 KHS wrestling team has become an example of how sports can shape a school’s culture through shared challenges, strong mentorship, and support from coaches. The program has created an environment where every wrestler feels seen and can grow.
Wrestling might look like an individual sport, but the Kinnelon High School team treats it like family. Head coach Anthony Colabella says the team’s close bond comes from everyone going through the same tough practices and pressure together. “Everybody’s match is in the same situation where it’s you versus one opponent, and all eyes are on you,” he said.
He also mentions that with a mix of new wrestlers and experienced ones, the team leans on each other to learn, improve, and help stay motivated. It creates a unique dynamic, saying, “It makes the group feel really tight.” With many of the wrestlers even considering it as a second family to them.
Sophomore Dominick Malfitano echoed Colabella’s sentiment, saying, “We are all One team One Family.” His words highlight how the program has grown into more than just a group of athletes, but it is a community built on trust, hard work, and genuine connections.
Not only do the wrestlers see their teammates as family, but they also see them as motivation. Malfitano said his practice partner, Jariell Perales, was most influential to him. Dominic said that training with someone who works as hard as he does helps keep him motivated. The two of them push each other during their practices and lean on one another to keep improving and showcasing how everyone benefits from helping and being with one another.
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Sophomore Roman Ritacco spoke on how he felt about the younger generation of wrestlers seeing the high school team. He mentioned that he wants them to see and feel that it is a family, keeping alive the team’s tradition. He hopes that by showing dedication and unity, the KHS team can inspire the PRM team to stay involved.
When Ritacco was asked the question about what his favorite part of the team was the atmosphere and the team bonding. He explained that the connections built outside of drills are what make the team feel like a second family. “The things we do before practice together, we don’t only wrestle the whole time.” “We hang out, we joke around, and we build connections. It feels like everyone is there for each other, not just the sport.”
Together, the wrestlers and coaches have created a community that welcomes growth and values every teammate. We notice how wrestling will leave a lifelong bond for these boys and a lifelong second family. The 2025-26 season stands as a reminder that the heart of Kinnelon wrestling is in the ones who support one another every step of the way.
