Rebuilding Montclair Rec Wrestling Starts with New Coach

The Montclair Recreation Wrestling Parent Association (MRW) in conjunction with the Township of Montclair Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs is pleased to welcome new wrestling head coach, Pierre Falaise. Falaise was an assistant coach with the program for seven years. He will continue the community-based vision of the recreational team.

Assisting Coach Falaise will be Ottis Wright, a graduate of Montclair High School and all-time winningest wrestler. At MHS, Wright was a three-time state qualifier placing seventh as a junior and fourth as a senior. He was named team captain and earned athlete of the year honors his senior year. In addition to wrestling, Wright played football and was also team captain.

Coach Falaise affirmed his commitment to the program in saying, “Rebuilding the Montclair Wrestling Program with the support of the Recreation Department and the MRW Booster Club families is vital.”

“Introducing Montclair students to the program and teaching them the skills necessary to compete is just the first step in building a strong town program,” said Falaise. “Mike Freedman, MHS head coach, Ottis Wright, the Township, and Montclair families are also committed to the development of our future MHS wrestlers. I encourage any student who is interested in wrestling to sign up and learn – I’m looking forward to seeing you on the mat!”

The wrestling season will begin November 17 and continue through March 7. Practices to learn techniques of match play and prepare for Suburban League wrestling matches will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. in the Montclair High School Wrestling room.

Wrestlers will be issued singlets for both competitive and developmental matches and the MRW is currently fundraising for warm-ups for each participant.

Registration for boys and girls in grades 3-8 is available now online at Community Pass or in person at the Recreation Department, located at 205 Claremont Avenue. The fee for the season is $100, but no child will be turned away because of their inability to pay. Questions about coaching, competitions, practices and fees can be answered by calling the Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs at 973-509-4915.

Information courtesy of The Township of Montclair and the Montclair Recreation Parent Association, image courtesy of Sentinel 16 website.