The Wrestling 2025 season is well underway. This year comes with new changes.
Longtime wrestling head coach, Coach Brothers announced his retirement in 2024. Coach Brothers had a very successful career and is leaving behind a legacy for the next generation of wrestlers at BHS.
It was time to start a new chapter for the wrestling team.
Mike Filieri was announced as the new head coach in replacement of Coach Brothers.
Filieri brings wrestling experience and passion to the program, saying “I’ve been involved with wrestling since the start of my career from the age of 4 years old to now. Pretty much for a solid 20 years.”
Filieri was super excited about getting his coaching career going, “It feels great to have my first head coaching job this early into my career. I’ve always enjoyed helping people become the best versions of themselves and coaching the sport of wrestling is one of the best ways to do it.”
Key departures from class of 2024 including Nick Viliani, Jake Caldwell, and Charlie Hunnewell allowed room for young stars to step up, like sophomores Jordan Riley , Chase Capanegiro, and Nolan Walsh who are working to become varsity starting wrestlers.
Key upperclassmen returning include seniors Anthony Caceres, David SIlva, and junior Blake Dakin.
Captain David Silva, a two year heavyweight, feels, “More confident in [the teams] technique. Having a coach who is closer to us in age who was a college wrestler prior to coaching helps a tremendous amount.”
Amongst the other upperclassmen, they understand how important this season is for the program and are ready to lead the team from day one and help out Coach Filieri throughout his first season.
Filieri see’s his first season “going in a great direction. We currently have a winning record and I see us just improving constantly. We have a great group of men and women that make it possible and if they continue to work together we can accomplish something big.
Off to a hot start with a record of 3-2 being 1-0 in Skyland Playoffs, the team is only getting stronger.
Captain Silva understands the inexperience of the team but is ready to prove everyone wrong, “We’re a lot younger this year. We have multiple sophomores and juniors starting. The guys are hungry though and it shows in practice who wants it and who doesn’t.” Silva, who placed second in Somerset County meet is doing a tremendous job of leading and paving the way for the young stars. Caceres, another senior, helped lead the wave of the wrestling team.
Even with the retirement of long time head coach Brothers, the wrestling team is in a good place to continue to bring home meet wins and excelent tournament performances.
Filieri has big shoes to fill, but so far he is doing an exemplary job at continuing the legacy of the wrestling team.
