On Jan. 5, Wrestling coach Michael Markey collected his 100th win as the head coach of West Essex Wrestling; the 48-8 win against Livingston secured his achievement. Wrestling has had a standout season and is currently second in the 2023-2024 SEC Standings with 15 wins and one loss.
Unlike most coaches tallying each win, Markey had no clue it was his 100th win. On Jan. 12, against Bloomfield, Markey discovered this huge win and finally celebrated with his teammates. Markey started his journey at West Essex in 2006 as a physical education teacher, and in 2009 he volunteered to be a coach for the Wrestling Knights. In 2010, he was brought in as an assistant coach and became the head coach in the 2017-2018 winter season switching roles with now assistant coach Greg Ruggiero. Markey has been coaching beside Ruggiero for many years and has continued his legacy.
“I always hoped that the West Essex Wrestling team would continue what Coach Ruggiero started before me,” Markey said. “I’m proud that over the years, the wrestlers here have bought into competing hard for their team. We’ve taken on a tough schedule and our wrestlers have consistently risen to the occasion.”
Markey started wrestling in the third grade once his two best friends persuaded him to try it, and developed a passion for which he would continue the sport into college. Markey became a state medalist in his senior year of high school placing fourth in the 160-pound weight class. Graduating from James Caldwell High School did not stop him from continuing the sport he has loved for years. Markey attended The College of New Jersey where he played football and wrestled.
Markey is the first to win both the Assistant and State Coach of the Year awards in New Jersey, and in 2015 he was voted best assistant coach in NJ, being the first-ever recipient of NJSIAA Assistant Wrestling Coach of the Year. In 2019, he won the NJ Coach of the Year Award. Markey’s time at West Essex is far from done with many more wins to come and wants his team to leave their time fulfilled.
“I just want everyone to give their absolute best effort and stay committed to the process of improving,” Markey said. “I want the team to feel proud of what they’ve accomplished when the season ends. I want them to be able to finish with no regrets.”
