UNION – Kayla Zeppetelli kissed her new gold medal. She can finally kiss her worst memory goodbye.
The Bogota/Ridgefield Park senior was overcome with emotion after pinning North Hunterdon’s Lydia Attanasio on Saturday in the Region North 151-pound final.
Zeppetelli was considered a state title contender last season, until she tore her right quad a few weeks before the region tournament. She battled through the pain, only to fall two wins short of reaching the state championships.
“The people that face the greatest loss come back with the greatest success,” Zeppetelli said. “I just kept that no-excuses attitude. I know I have to work hard and push myself and stay self motivated.”
Zeppetelli described the quad tear as the “most painful” feeling ever. She hoped some time off would do the trick, but the situation got even worse after a shot in her first match at Regions.
It was such a devastating blow that coach Patrick Clark made sure to sit at the opposite end of the gym when he returned to Union High School
“I was out for almost two weeks and it kind of rusted me up a little bit,” Zeppetelli said. “I wasn’t as sharp. I’ll never forget the pain I felt after having that big downfall.”
Zeppetelli was on the mat for less than 10 minutes Saturday, although she hung around the building for much longer.
The Region North tournament was scaled down to 78 wrestlers (compared to 224 last season) and broken down into two sessions. Zeppetelli was following the action from the parking lot when her younger sister, Theresa, advanced by placing fourth at 121 pounds.
Kayla Zeppetelli took control of her final in the second period, scoring two takedowns and the eventual pin in 4:27.
“I think I’m going to cry,” Zeppetelli said. “There are so many emotions. All the late nights and hard work and private lessons with my club coach until 11 o’clock. It’s all worth it.”
Also medaling and advancing, her sister Theresa finished 4th at 121 lbs.!
Becton’s had a tougher final, but scraped out a 2-0 win over Belleville’s Alisa Safforld in a rematch of the BCWCA final.
“I always watch the matches over again,” Frezzo said. “I go over things that could have gone better. I was definitely working on some of the things that could have been better in the last match.
“Sean Farrell is a high school sports reporter for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today.
