Essex County Wrestler Tops Dad's Record

Breaking a school record is one way to make your parents proud. But what happens when that record was formerly held by your dad?

James Caldwell High School wrestler Dean Caravela achieved 35 wins his freshman year, the most in a single season in the program’s history. It’s a record his father Tom Caravela set in 1986, when he went 29-3 as a senior grappler with the Chiefs. The record was challenged by Blake Maffei, Mike Kwapniewski and Steve Martell, the latter who went 33-0 in his 2004 state championship season.

Asked last week if he feels badly about surpassing his dad’s record, the 14-year-old with dark cropped hair and a big smile which reveals his braces, shook his head, looked at his father and said, “No.”

Tom responded, “I’ll tell you I don’t. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Dean ended his freshman season earlier this month, standing on a podium as the 8th-place finisher in his 106 lb. weight class in Atlantic City.

In addition to setting a new school record there, he became the first freshman wrestler from Caldwell to place in the coveted top 8 in the states.

“It’s really hard to get to the states, especially in New Jersey,” explained Tom, who is president of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Wrestling Club.

Dean’s goal was just to get to Atlantic City. In a period of 30 hours, he wrestled in seven matches, winning the last three without giving up a single point.

“It’s just an awesome feeling,” Dean said. “I worked so hard for it.”

The teenager works at his sport with a maturity level that seems well beyond his years. He regularly takes five-mile runs through the Caldwells, practices most nights after homework and has given up other sports with the exception of cross-country — which helps him stay fit — to focus on wrestling year round.

He said he has no regrets, “Stopping playing football and stopping playing lacrosse are the best thing I’ve done for wrestling.”

While he was always a decent athlete, not making the statewide competition in eighth grade gave Dean the drive to excel his freshman year. Believing in his capabilities, he said, has also made a difference.

“It really comes down to who’s more confident, who wants the match more,” he said.

Inspired by his father, Dean’s wrestling career began when he was 6-years-old and 42 lbs.

However, Tom said his motivation to sign up for wrestling was a bit less admirable. 

When he was in third grade growing up in West Caldwell, a buddy from the neighborhood showed up at his house wearing a navy blue Caldwell Wrestling shirt, and he just had to have one.

“I honestly did not know what it was,” he said.

Tom and his twin brother, Joe, got their wrestling t-shirts and went on to be part of one of the most successful teams in Caldwell history, under the guidance of longtime coach Ed Gibbons. Tom wrestled at 170 lbs. and received a partial-scholarship to compete at Rutgers.

The wrestling season may be over for most athletes, but after a short break Dean is ready to compete again, setting new goals and making new memories with his dad.

The two will pack up their trusty scale and travel to Pittsburgh next weekend for the FLO Nationals.