John Welch - Ridge & USA Wrestling
John's life in wrestling started at North Hunterdon High School under Hall of Fame Coach, Harold VanDermark. After he graduated he wrestled at Rutgers under another Hall of Famer, Rich Voliva so John's love for the sport was influenced by two of this states legends. The Rutgers Captain then continued his active wrestling in the Air Force winning the Air Force Championship twice while serving his country attaining the rank of Captain. After one year of coaching in Bergen County, John would take over the helm at Ridge High School where his teams would record a 209-81-3 record over the next eighteen years. Ridge would win thirteen conference titles and two State Group 2 Championships. His wrestlers would win 60 District,twenty-eight Regional and Seven State Championships while six others would place second. Five of his wrestlers would attain 100 individual career wins and both of his sons, John and Peter, would win State Championships for their father. A moving force in the New Jersey Chapter of USA Wrestling John would serve as their President and the chapter would grow to one of the nation's strongest chapter under John's helm. Through his efforts thousands of New Jersey wrestlers have gained wrestling experience against the best in the USA on every level of competition.
