Salvatore Cascio - Bergenfield
Sal Cascio has established an outstanding record as the first wrestling coach at Bergenfield H.S. Sal started his life in wrestling at Leonia H.S. where he captained the 1948 and 1949 teams. During his college career Sal placed was a 5 time State AAU placewinner winning it once and reaching the finals twice. He began his coaching career at Fairleigh Dickenson University under coaching legend,Bob Metz and in 1959 started the wrestling program at Bergenfield H.S. At Bergenfield he posted a 86-36-1 record including a 52 meet unbeaten streak,four consecutive undefeated teams, five straight County and District Championships.He coached 36 District,14 Region and four State Champions. His biggest milestone came in 1968 when he placed 7 wrestlers at the States including Ed Kochakji who won his 3rd straight title.Among his Coaching Honors include The Harry E.Lake Award, the Bergen County Coach of the Year Award -1965 thru 1968,and The National High School Coach of the Year for Unico . Sal also served on the BCCA Wrestling Committee and ran the North Jersey Summer Wrestling Clinic In 2000 he was selected the Coach of the Century by the Bergen Record Newspaper. His belief that wrestling helps young men find their personal identity is best express in his quote Give me a boy -good or bad and I'll give you a respectable gentlemen
Gary Kehler - Westfield
After graduating from Hackettstown H.S. and Rutgers University,Gary joined the Westfield coaching staff in 1957 and retired as it's Athletic Director in 1993. During his coaching career at Westfield his Football,Wrestling,and Golf teams had a total record of 732-115-23 for a .864 winning percentage.His 24 year wrestling coaching record is 232-37-10 with 14 Conference,16 District and 22 County or Holiday Tournament Championships. He has coached 111 District Champions,24 Region Champions, and 12 State Champions. Included in his State Champions are Dave Morash, a 3 time All-Ivy League for Columbi;Joe Wiendl, a 2 time College Division Champion for Wilkes and Two time NCAA Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist Chris Campbell of Iowa. Gary has been honored with the Harry E. Lake Award and Named Coach of the Year by the NY Daily News,Newark Evening News,Elizabeth Journal and Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Westfield,NJ Football Coaches and NJ Wrestling Coaches Halls of FAme.
