By Anthony Gagliardi ’16
Many wrestlers have come through West Essex, looking to make greatness with their performance on the mat. The competition is constant in this male-dominant sport, but this year a new face is ready to take on the training and competition: senior Natalie Melendez.
Coming from West Orange, this is Natalie’s first year putting on the West Essex singlet. It is also only the second time in school history that a female wrestler is taking on the challenge to be part of the all-male team. Brenda Ruggiero was the first female wrestler in West Essex history during the 1996 season, having a background in judo.
Natalie said she is excited to have a strong wrestling season as a Knight, and is prepared to prove herself.
“I know what I signed up for, and I am ready to take on the challenges that come with that,” Melendez said. “I want people to treat me just like everyone else and give me a shot to prove what I have to offer.”
Teammates and coaches of Melendez have accepted the addition of Natalie to the team. “She’s one of us, so you have to throw out your perspective that this is a male only sport,” Coach Ruggiero said.
“This is a grueling sport that requires a certain appeal and lifestyle,” Athletic Director Mr. Minnella said. “You have to love it or else it will never last, and I think this shows just how much Natalie cares about this sport.”
Melendez started her wrestling career during the seventh grade at West Orange Middle School, where she says a simple phone call inspired her to try out the sport.
“My two friends called me a couple nights before tryouts and convinced me to join,” Melendez said. “I just said, ‘Why not? I have nothing better to do anyways in the winter,’ and I ended up falling in love with the sport.”
She trained and competed in both seventh and eighth grades, proving that she was committed to the sport. As high school came around, she was determined to stay with the team.
During her freshman year at West Orange, Melendez said, she started being treated differently than her other teammates. She said her coaches were not pushing her the hardest she could go, and usually left her on the sidelines during training. Melendez decided to continue participating in the sport, working hard to stand out. During her junior year, Natalie and her family moved from West Orange and to Roseland. Due to her late arrival into the school year, she could not get medically cleared in time in order to participate on the West Essex team, causing her to sit out a whole season.
As a senior, Melendez came back and joined the team’s roster. Melendez is currently wrestling at the 126 weight class. Even though it is her first year as a wrestling Knight, she has already gotten used to the training routine.
“West Essex as a whole is much better organized than West Orange, and wrestling here is has a strong structure,” Melendez said. “The coaches are always looking out for you to get better, whether you’re a novice or a veteran wrestler.”
