Just thought this was an important piece to pass on to the team. I agree with everything Frank has to say below.  As a point of reference by my count at least 8 of the HS wrestlers who competed on the varsity level this year at some point spent time on our Lenape Jr. team.  It has been a struggle to get all three of the Mt. laurel teams on the same page…read below for a view from some one who has been involved in Lenape Wrestling on some level for over 10 years:

Dear Lenape Jr.’s

Congratulations to the entire Lenape Wrestling family. Although Sunday was difficult and sometimes it seemed like it would last forever, to most of you it was a very successful day in more ways than one. The tournament this year was the biggest ever and everyone involved should be applauded for their dedication and efforts.

For several years attempts have been made to bring all three Mt. Laurel wrestling programs together. Through the efforts of Chris Long, Blaise Scioli, Steve McIntyre and the rest of the Jr. staff, the Harrington program and the people involved including the principal, and the high school coaches, staff, wrestlers and parents this union is becoming a reality. It showed on the mats, in the stands and especially at the Jam with everyone coming together. It is an amazing process to witness.

Best of luck to all the kids wrestling in the Grapevine Tournament this weekend and to high school kids that are chasing their dreams at the regions. Their foundation was set by Lenape Jr.  and by the dedication of people like yourselves. We are well on our way.

This has been one of the best years ever for the entire Lenape Wrestling Family. I personally thank you all for allowing me to come along for the ride.

Sincerely

Frank Ubaldini

Once again outside the gym was a huge part of the tournament.  Working under conditions that were difficult, with no access to the cafeteria which we have always had in the past, we set a new record for success with our concession stand.  The hard work dedication and organizational skills that Linda Yaffa demonstrated by coordinating this area was incredible.  Linda was there from start to finish and made sure that the crowds were fed the entire time.  The donations from all the families made it a profitable day.  I would like to thank all the volunteers who worked this area.  I’m sure I will miss somebody but in all fairness I have to give it a shot, those that I miss please accept our thanks.   Once again thanks to the following family’s for their hard work and support in making this our largest tournament ever a success… Spellmans, Martins, Toner, Scioli (Beth, Sue and Dana), McGovern, Snively, Hoffman, Kim, Leiby, Long, Kennedy, Johnstone, Singer, Capri, Bischof, Auletto, Henderson, Iuliano, Hughes, Yaffa and the Lenape Wrestlers.   I also would like to mention that this group also ran our 50/50 for each round, thanks again.

Another role that no one is envious of  is taking care of all the financial concerns involved with not just this tournament but for the entire season.  Alycia Bischof has been doing it for years now.  To know that all the checks received for registration, all the cash from concessions, 50/50 and the admissions are not only collected but need to be kept secure that is a huge burden.  To know exactly how much was made in each area and how much we spent in each area is just really impressive.  Alycia handles it no problem while also taking care of all the T-shirts for the team and tournament.  I’m not sure we can ever thank her enough but… THANK YOU Alycia.

Last and far from least, the coaches Steve, Anthony, Blaise, Andy and Ed.  From all the practices, to the 6-7 hours each week they spend at the matches, to the marathon they worked on Sunday, which was about 12-13 straight hours of not just coaching but helping manage the tables and coordinate changes in the brackets all day long.  Not sure what more you could ask from a team of volunteer coaches.  If you ever question how important they think teaching young wrestlers to become not just better on the mat but off the mat don’t.   Realize the  enormous amount of time they spend with the wrestlers weekly it’s why wrestling is different from all the other sports.  Also keep in mind that again this weekend they will all spend another 8-10 hours coaching the kids in the Grapevine tournament.  They deserve a huge congratulations!  Thanks again guys, without your passion for the sport and dedication to sharing  that passion to another generation of wrestlers we would not be the team we are today or in the future.

Thanks again to the entire team and Lenape wrestling community.  Be proud of what we accomplished this weekend, few teams ever try to run a tournament much less do it well!

I want to thank all of our parents, volunteers and wrestlers for a fantastic day on Sunday.   I need to apologize for the length of the tournament.  My focus on getting wrestlers mat time and matches got the best of me and I allowed to many entrants.  That being said I cannot imagine the tournament running any smoother under those conditions.  This is a testament to all the help we had.

I make it a point to try and recognize all the help we had and in what areas they stepped up in each year, I invariably miss some people so please accept my apology if you don’t see your name below.

Lets start with my behind-the-scenes coordinator, Katie Palumbo.  Katie is a Seneca parent who has been supporting this tournament as long as I have been involved (too long).  She actually runs all the bout sheets, bracket lists and basically all the paperwork to run the tournament.  Not sure what magic she uses to get it all done but Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Dana Rehkopf our guest door manager.  Dana unfortunately moved to another team this season since she no longer lives in Mt Laurel but volunteered to help at the door.  She topped her total from last year running the show there and not sure I can find anybody as well-qualified to to work this job.  Dana, from all of Lenape Wrestling, Thank You So Much For Your Help!

Set up, breakdown and table help… what can I say we had so much support here it was a breeze to manage. We had support from the HS level in Joe Robinson (LHS head Coach & District Co-Coach of  the Year {had to add that}), Tom Mann (Shawnee Head Coach) and the support from the HS parents and  HS wrestlers (McGovern’s, Nawn’s, Ubaldini’s, Nardelli’s, Sanders’ and Kennedy’s) working on Sunday was just incredible, thanks again.  Supporters who came out to help, Scott Buck and Dennis Robbins. Lenape family’s Bregman, Frombach, Gallagher, Hoffman, Hughes, Johnstone, Kennedy, Kim, Koerner, MacQuade, McGovern’s (need to be mentioned at least twice had the entire family helping out!), Morrill, Pry, Renna, Scheets, Scioli, Singer, Snively, Spellman, Velez  & Yaffa.   Absolutely the best turnout in terms of help we have ever had… Thank You, give yourself a standing ovation you all deserve it!

I have more thanks to come stay tuned for another post later today this is just the in gym help we had…