The Knightly News

A memorable wrestling season has just ended as senior wrestling captain Vinny Porreca made North history.

This year, the wrestling team matched the school’s best-ever win-loss ratio, a record that has stood since 2007. Porreca went the whole season undefeated, with a record of 28-0. In the county tournament, Porreca placed second, which qualified him to move on to districts after the season ended. Porreca was named Plainsboro Wrestler of the Year for his stellar season.

As the wrestling captain, Porreca is responsible for starting practices, running drills, and keeping the team on track. Based on what his teammates have to say, Porreca is more than qualified for this position. “I feel that Vinny’s recent accomplishments are something that he has worked very hard for throughout high school,” said senior wrestler Sunket Kumar. “With the amount of dedication I’ve seen him have over the years, the only thing that surprises me is that it has never diminished.”

The position of captain is rewarding for Porreca, because he not only receives high praise but takes great pride in his team. “My coach is the best coach ever, Coach Ferraro, and I have the best team ever,” Porreca said.

Districts is an elimination-style tournament that takes place outside the normal wrestling season, and both Porreca and senior wrestler Jack Schilder attended. “I feel like Vinny gave it his all,” Schilder said. “I as a wrestling partner with him know that this is not an easy sport, especially when you have to wrestle at 220 pounds. I think Vinny deserves what he had done and how far he got.”

Districts allows only the top three finalists to progress to regionals. Porreca placed second at districts, and second again at regionals, allowing him to advance to states—the first North wrestler to do so. “We are extremely proud of him being the first wrestler from North making states,” said senior wrestler Romell Khan.

Alhough Porreca won only one out of three matches at states, he says the competition was a great experience. He successfully pinned and knocked out an opponent who had beaten him by one point in both districts and regionals.

Porreca started wrestling when he was five years old. He has a dynamic personality, which has been apparent since he was very young. “I was very into WWE at the time, and that’s what made me start,” Porreca said. “At the first practice, I walked in and saw a mat and stopped and asked my dad, ‘Hey, Dad, where’s the ring?’”

By the end of the season, Porecca had broken seven school records. He plans to wrestle at Ursinus College and hopes to eventually become a four-time national qualifier.