Allentown’s Lamparelli sets CVC wins record
ROBBINSVILLE >> You could see this coming as soon as highly-touted youth wrestler Joey Lamparelli arrived at Allentown High School as a freshman four years ago.
Barring an injury, Lamparelli surely seemed destined to become the alltime win leader in the history of the Colonial Valley Conference and sure enough this came to fruition when he captured the 120-pound title at the Mercer County Tournament Saturday.
With his solid win over Hopewell Valley’s Jacob Venezia, Lamparelli became the latest wrestler to win four MCT titles. He also was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler after raising his record to 31-0.
The most significant accomplishment, however, was he picked up victory No. 146 to break the CVC record of 145 wins that was set last year by Robbinsville’s Garrett Bilgrav.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to do this, but it’s also kind of surreal because I still have a long way to go,” said Lamparelli.
Ranked fifth in the state in The Trentonian’s Individual New Jersey Ratings, Lamparelli seems primed to make a big run in his senior season. Obviously, he can not break the state record of 171 wins set by South Plainfield’s Anthony Ashnault, but he can join only a handful of wrestlers to reach 160.
“My goal is to hit 160,” confirmed Lamparelli.
To do that Lamparelli will have to be in top form in Atlantic City, where he has come close before.
“It was good to wrestle Jacob because I need all the tough matches I can get,” said Lamparelli. “The last two years I lost in the blood round (at states). It’s been frustrating, but this year I am definitely ready to get over the hump. I think I can do it.”
You wouldn’t want to bet against the Redbird senior, who said he’s undecided between joining the Coast Guard or wrestling in college next year.