John Pepe - Plainfield
John Pepe graduated from Plainfield H.S. and Penn State where excelled in wrestling losing only one dual meet in High School and College. He was a NJ State Champion,National Prep Champion,NJ AAU Champion and an EIWA Champion at Penn State. As a Nittany Lion, John was a two time All-American in wrestling and a college Champion in Boxing. After college he played Pro-Football with the Jersey Oaks; weighing only 150lbs he was the league MVP. After coaching as an assistant at Union, John took over the reins at Plainfield H.S. for the next 11 years. His teams won 5 District team titles,52 individual District titles,10 Region Championships and 4 State Titles. After coaching John officiated on every level in NJ and served as Supt.of Recreation in Plainfield.
Francis Dunn - State Medal of Courage Award
Francis won the NJ State Championship as a senior at Boonton H.S. while recording a 111-9 overall record. Francis stayed in NJ for his college career attending Rider University. After winning a Conference title in 1994 Francis was in a major car accident that summer leaving him with a steel rod in the femur of a severly broken leg.Remaining in critical condition for over a week,his wrestling career looked finished. However he returned to Rider and in 1997 he reached his ultimate goal and became an All-American for Rider at 142 lbs.this while still having the steel rod and pins in his leg. Francis overcame all the odds to reach his goal and is an example of courage for all wrestlers.
