Morris a key leader for Pascack Valley on, off mat by Kevin T. Czerwinski special to The Record
HILLSDALE – Will Morris wasn’t a captain on the Pascack Valley wrestling team when the season began, and that bothered him.
The junior watched as five seniors were named captains a year ago. When the Indians started this season with coach Tom Gallione naming four captains, Morris figured he would be the fifth. He figured wrong. Gallione purposely did not tab Morris as a captain, though he felt the 160-pounder was close.
“I thought about it all the time,” said Morris, who picked up a pair of victories Saturday in a triangular match with Ramsey and Hawthorne. “There were a whole bunch of guys named and I thought there would be space for me. It did sting. But it inspired me to keep moving forward. It made me more determined.
“I feel that it [waiting] was the right move by the coach. He told me if I keep working and inspiring then I could be named a captain and I did.”
Gallione’s desire to see if Morris would earn the captaincy became reality on Jan. 7 following a tough loss to Butler. The coach had already spoken to his team when Morris stepped up and gave his teammates a passionate speech. Gallione heard Morris’ pep talk, and that was enough to name him captain.
“I always had it in my mind that I would name him captain but I wanted to see if he would put the work in,” Gallione said. “I was walking out of the room when he gave that speech. I thought he’s really emerged as a vocal leader. He’s done that job and he’s really stepped up. Maybe he needed a little extra push.
“You could tell that he was a little upset or hurt. But he acted real mature. He wanted to prove to the coach that he was deserving and he has continued to do that.”
Morris’ victories on Saturday were highlights for the Indians, who topped Ramsey, 47-21, and Hawthorne, 45-28. Hawthorne bested Ramsey, 37-33. The two wins, both of which came via pin, gave Morris 15 victories [against three losses], equaling his season total from a year ago.
His goal was to each 20 victories so that is now well within reach with a month or so remaining in the season. Morris, however, isn’t getting too far ahead of himself.
“I might have to set a new goal if things keep going well,” Morris said. “I have to keep striving for more. We have a whole bunch of tough matches coming up against teams that we lost to last year.”