The 2022-23 wrestling season at RV was filled with wins, accomplishments, big records and events that support the community. 

The boys team has had a season record of 14-12, placing them in second right behind Shawnee High School.

Meanwhile, the wrestlers on the girls team had a high win percentage, with a majority winning more than half of their matches.

RV wrestling is more than titles and accomplishments: they wrestle for a cause. RV partners up with Cinnaminson High School to honor alumni who died in active duty. The annual “Wrestling for Heroes” event took place on January 25 at Cinnaminson High School. The players not only got to wrestle their rivals, but also listen to speeches and learn what the event meant to people in their communities. 

“Before the match, there is a ceremony held in which RV honors former wrestler Bryan Freeman who lost his life serving in Iraq,” said Rancocas Valley senior Theodore Rumberger. “And Cinnaminson honors one of their former wrestlers Sean Cullen who lost his life working as a State Trooper. Both Freeman’s and Cullen’s family come to speak at the event.”

The event ended with RV winning 36-31. 

“This is great for both of our communities,” coach Tommy Callahan told the Courier Post. “Honoring and celebrating the people who keep us safe and remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.”

As the end of the season approaches, so does the championship season. 

On February 18, the boys district 26 tournament was held. This event was held home at RV. Wrestlers can qualify for regions through this meet. 

The boys team had seven wrestlers qualifying for the regional tournament, which allowed the team to take 2nd place overall. 

Senior Renaldo King placed 1st in the 144 pound bracket leading him to become a district champion. In addition, senior Yasin Carter became a district champion, after winning 1st place in the 113 pound bracket. 

On February 19, the girls team went to the South Region tournament at Williamstown High School, which hosted wrestlers from 52 different schools. 

Medalists include senior Savanna Marlin who placed 2nd at the 165 weight category. In addition, sophomore Paris Ford took 3rd in the 185 category, while freshmen Abby Dudley took 3rd in the 152 category. 

All three girls qualified and will be competing in the state tournament.

Although Dudley has a few more years in the program, she is already reflecting on the positive experiences that she had. 

“The thing that I enjoyed most about wrestling for RV this season is seeing the results of my hard work,” Dudley said. “I truly think every time I laced up my shoes I bettered myself one way or another, whether it was physical or mentally. But, the best thing about wrestling is the family that you gain because no matter what you always have someone who is there to support you.” 

Rumberger also reflected on his experience as he prepares to leave the program. 

“A huge part of what I am going to miss are the coaches,” the senior said. “Some of them have been coaching me since I was 8 years old wrestling for the youth program. They have been there for me through so much beyond just wrestling, it’s definitely going to be hard to say goodbye to them at the end of this year. I will miss a lot of the effort you are required to put for this team. It has pushed me to work harder than I could have ever imagined doing on my own, and I hope that for the rest of my life I continue to have the same work ethic this team has instilled in me.”