The RV wrestling team is having blowout season. Across a number of different weight lineups and competitors, the 19-3 Red Devils are currently number one in the Liberty division of the BSCL conference.

“The team and atmosphere that my teammates bring are one of the best things about wrestling,” said senior Captain Christopher Peterson. “As a team and individually, I can’t wait to see how far we go in districts, regionals, states and sectionals.”

Following a full year of irregularities and challenges, the boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams have achieved several accomplishments, including winning the 15th Annual Hammonton Dual Team Tournament earlier in the season.

Last month, the boys won the Burlington County Tournament in which six RV wrestlers qualified for the championship round, two of which earned titles, Peterson at 165 and senior Connor Bauman at 190. Together the boys’ team has progressed to a 19-3 record with the newest additions from their wins against Northern Burlington, Timber Creek and Cherry Hill West.

The recently developed girls team, the Lady Hammers, also has an impressive record and various individual rankings. With girls wrestling on the rise and gaining popularity, the Lady Devils were excited for the opportunity to be able to compete against more teams. They used this to their advantage, making a statement for themselves that will carry on throughout the years. Chanting “Unity and Teamwork” before and after each match and every practice, they promise each other togetherness and commitment, establishing a positive outlook and the Red Devil pride.

“In spending almost every day together for hours, we became a family. We go into practice with the mindset of bettering ourselves and each other and into every match to win,” says senior Marianna Payne. “RV Girls Wrestling is something that I am going to miss. I’m glad that we got the chance to compete more this year and go back to a somewhat normal season.”

Coach Tommy Callahan and Coach Joshua Gannone are having the successful season they were hopeful for, expecting more victories in the future. Coach Callahan’s impressive coaching — including moving around his entire lineup against Northern Burlington in a tight match last week — has paid major dividends.

In the weeks to come, the boys face Monroe on Monday, and the girls have matches approaching on Saturday as well as a Regional Tournament in the following week.