Joe Casella graduated from Delaware Valley High School in 2020. He began wrestling as a freshman and went on to Districts twice. He also placed sixth in Regionals during his senior year. 

He is currently a junior at Sussex County Community College where he wrestled during the season, but is also pursuing a career to work as a lineman. 

What’s the main difference you have noticed between high school wrestling and college wrestling?

The main difference is in the physicality. College wrestlers tend to be more physical than the high school guys. Everything you do in college has to be a physical move or you won’t win your matches. In high school you could get away with not engaging as much and still win your match.

Do you prefer college wrestling over high school wrestling?

I personally feel that college wrestling has better rules than high school wrestling. Little things like riding time and having an extra minute to wrestle in the first period make the sport more enjoyable to wrestle and also watch.

Do you think the wrestling you did at DV prepared you well for wrestling collegiately?

Yes, 100%. The whole coaching staff at DV shaped me to be the wrestler I am today. I didn’t start wrestling until my freshman year of high school, and with the help of Delaware Valley’s coaching staff, I was able to become a national qualifier in the NJCAA and ranked ninth in the country.

Why did you choose to go to SCCC?

I chose Sussex because I want to pursue a career in electrical line-work while also being able to wrestle. Sussex is also a community college so it was at a fraction of the price compared to a four-year school. It also offers a variety of other degrees and trades and is all around a great school to be at. 

How much did you enjoy wrestling for SCCC?

Well as of right now, I’m done wrestling. I definitely enjoyed wrestling for Sussex as it was just a start up team and new experience for me in general. Coach [Nick] Barzano and coach [Patrick] Thompson were also new as a coaching staff and got four out of the five guys to the national tournament. I helped shape the program there and made lifelong memories and friends along the way.

What did your schedule look like when you did wrestle?

The schedule was tough but not impossible. Practices were five to six days a week either in between classes or after all of our classes finished. The whole coaching staff worked with every single one of us to find a time that we could all attend practice. That being said, it did take up a lot of my free time, but I didn’t mind it since I knew everyday I went to practice I was becoming better not only as a wrestler but as a person as well.

Is there anything you miss about high school and wrestling for DV?

Oh yeah. I wish I could do high school all over again. The amount of memories I’ve made with my friends, teachers and coaches is something some people take for granted. A good memory of mine is when the high school team went to a tournament and coach [Nick] Irwin grilled some burgers and hot dogs outside the hotel we were staying at. The whole vibe of that night is something you don’t ever forget.