John DeMarco -Toms River South & Brick Memorial
John DeMarco's wrestling career started at Brick HS where he placed 4th in the States at 148 lbs in 1965 and was selected 1st team All-Shore. John would move next to West Chester College where he won three major tournaments as a freshmen and the Middle Atlantic crown at 145lbs as a senior. West Chester's captain was selected to the NCAA College Division All-American Team in 1969. John would take over the reins at Toms River HS and see his teams win the Shore Conference Division Championship seven times from 1975-84. The Indians would also crown five District Team titles as well as winning the Shore Conference Tournament four consecutive years in a row. His 1976 team went 20-0 and in 1977 they crowned three individual State Champions including Outstanding Wrestler,Jeff Parker.Overall John's teams would crown six State Champions and be ranked in NJ's Top ten on five times. A member of the NJWOA for over thirty years John officiated on all levels of HS and college while helping to develop numerous officials throughout the state. John's coaching awards include Daily Observer Coach of the Year,4 times, Asbury Park Press Coach of the Year,3 times,and Region 6 Coach of the Year twice. John has been inducted into the West Chester,South Jersey Wrestling,Region 6 Wrestling and Jersey Shore Halls of Fame. An outstanding swimmer John has spent his summers as Chief Lifeguard for NJ Parks System and instructor of CPR. John is married to his HS sweetheart,Patrica who John and the rest of the wrestling world consider a Saint.They have two children Scott and Jamie and his grandkids Taya and Lilli.
Arthur Marinelli - Washington & Oakcrest
Art Marinelli's wrestling career began under Hall of Fame coach, John Goles at Washington/Warren Hills HS where he would win NJ State titles in 1955 and 1956. He was selected the team's MVP and Outstanding Male Athlete,awards he would repeat at the University of Maryland where he would add the ACC Championship. At Maryland he would get his 1st taste of coaching when his freshman team went 9-1 and placed all the wrestlers at the West Point Freshmen Tournament.The next stop for Art was Oakcrest HS where he would start the wrestling program in 1962. Within 4 years the district title would belong to Oakcrest and five more District Championships would follow. Art would in total coach Oakcrest to a 92-30-2 record and see 27 District,5 Region and one State Champion be crowned. Art was also a member of the NJWOA for 29 years working on every level of the NJ State Tournament. He also formed and was the 1st President of the Southern Shore Officia's Chapter, President of the NJWOA and the President of the NJSIAA Executive Committee. Art is the State Site mananger for the State Tournament for over 14 years. At's awards include South Jersey Wrstling Hall of Fame,Blue Streak Wall of Fame,Oakcrest Wall of Fame, Richard C.Mirshak Award,NJWOA Service Award,and the Harry E.Lake Award.
