Don Bosco is tops in Bergen County by Sean Farrell of The Record
HACKENSACK – From the middle of the mat, Pete Acciardi proudly watched the final seconds tick away.
The last few seconds before earning a win he had always hoped for. The last few before he could finally call himself a Bergen County champion.
Acciardi stole a quick glance at the clock as he closed in on 5-2 victory on Thursday over Hasbrouck Heights’ Sean O’Malley in the 220-pound final of the BCCA George Jockish Holiday Wrestling Tournament.
Just before the clock hit zero, the Don Bosco junior pumped his fist. He had his opponent in control and the packed crowd at Hackensack grew louder and louder.
His moment had arrived.
“I’d see it in my dreams a lot,” Acciardi said. “It’s really crazy watching it become a reality.”
And there was plenty for Acciardi to celebrate besides his own success. Strong performances from the upper weights helped the Ironmen win the BCCA team title for the first time since 2011. It ended a four-year winning streak for Bergen Catholic, who did not enter the tournament this season.
“My brother [Zack] won it for Don Bosco back when he was a freshman,” heavyweight champion Eric Chakonis said. “For me to bring the title back as a senior means a lot.”
Don Bosco went 4-for-4 in the finals with Evan DeLuise (145) and Dom Mandarino (170) also coming away with individual titles. The Ironmen earned a total of 201 points to withstand tough challenges from Emerson/Park Ridge, North Bergen and Hasbrouck Heights.
“We’ve been pushing hard as a group,” DeLuise said. “It’s hard work paying off. We have a lot of seniors who have given it their all in their last run and it’s a great way to start [the season].”
DeLuise earned a 3-2 decision victory over Hasbrouck Heights’ Matthew Dallara in his championship match. It helped the Ironmen become the only school besides Paramus to have multiple wrestlers earn individual titles.
“We all push ourselves to get better,” DeLuise said. “When a guy is struggling, we help him out and do whatever you can. It’s a really close-knit group.”
At Don Bosco, some of the battles in practice are more physical than ones in matches. Chakonis doesn’t take it easy on Acciardi, despite having a significant weight advantage on his teammate and training partner. In one matchup, Acciardi even took a punch to the face.
“I’ve known Pete since like third grade, so we go way back,” Chakonis said. “He knows that if I go after him in practice, it’s not me trying to beat him up. It’s my trying to get him [better].”
Chakonis, a returning state champion, looked the part of a top seed. He secured the championship with four consecutive pins, with the first two coming in less than a minute.
“I know I don’t look it, but I’m pretty fast out there,” Chakonis said with a smile. “So I’ve been trying to use my speed.”
In the 285-pound final, Chakonis pinned Brian Sidle of St. Joseph at 2:44 to earn the championship and end his own long wait.
“I’ve never won it,” Chakonis said. “This is something special. It’s something to hang on my wall.”