A coach once said, “you can’t always control the outcome, but you can control how hard you fight.” This season, the Somerville High School wrestling team lived by this mantra, fighting harder than they ever had before. Win or lose, the team never gave up. Right up until the end of the season, they continued to push through, their perseverance bringing them all the way to the championship and state finals.

Behind every great team is a great coach, and for the Somerville wrestling team, this coach was Mr. Carida. The 20245-2025 school year marked Mr. Carida’s first as the team’s head coach, and he said it couldn’t have gone any better. Mr. Carida mentioned that although the season was tough, the team never stopped working together, making it a truly amazing experience for everyone involved. The team was also led by a few other incredible coaches, including Mr. Nick Accetta, and Coach Becker. 

Yet Mr. Carida is already looking towards the future, saying that next season he is “looking forward to having a big freshman class enter the program. We haven’t had much depth the past couple of years, so having bigger numbers will help us fill some of the holes in our lineup.”

But the season’s success would not have been possible if it weren’t for the team’s dedicated seniors, whose contributions this year will never be forgotten. Stronger than ever, this season’s seniors helped bring the team to States and Championships. This season, Emme Hoarle achieved 100 career wins, and Sean O’Neill won the District 15 Championship, adding his name to a long list of District Champions on the boys’ side. 

Reflecting on his time at Somerville High School, O’Neill said, “our young team learned many lessons this year, providing a foundation for the coming years, where the team will only improve.”

As for the girls on the wrestling team—let’s just say they were AMAZING. The girls’ 2024-2025 wrestling season was truly exceptional, with a remarkable record and many unforgettable matches. This year, four standout athletes—Emme Hoarle (‘25), Harlee Stracuzzi (‘27), Abby Centeno (‘25), and Anshul Kumar (‘26)—all made it to the NJSIAA North 2 Region tournament. With support from friends, coaches, and family, they gained the confidence they needed to excel.

In the end, the Somerville wrestling team finished their season with a record of 6-15. However, what truly matters is not the team’s number of wins or losses, but how hard the team pushed and fought for every match. 

For many, the season was truly an unforgettable one. With so much support and encouragement to cheer the team on throughout the winter months, this season is sure to be remembered fondly for many years to come.