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Coaches

Darren Schulman

Darren Schulman was a 123-pound New Jersey State Champion going undefeated his senior year with a record of 31-0 when he wrestled for the Bears of East Brunswick High School.

Darren received a full ride scholarship to Syracuse University where he was a two-time Division I – All American racking up an impressive record of 112-29-1. He currently holds the school’s single-season record for victories with 46 wins. While wrestling for the Orangemen he also captured an EIWA title, two New York State Collegiate Champions, won the prestigious Midlands and Wilkes Open tournaments and holds two gold medals from the Maccabiah Games (Greco Roman and Freestyle).

On the collegiate level he was an assistant coach at Rutgers for 7 years and Rider for 3 years.

At the high school level, he was an assistant coach at Robbinsville, East Brunswick and South Brunswick and most recently was the head coach at West Windsor-Plainsboro South and Bound Brook.

Coach Schulman current teaches business at Bound Brook high school.
 

Roy Dragon III

Roy Dragon is a highly trained elementary school physical education teacher in Basking Ridge and is extraordinarily qualified to run and manage the K-6th wrestling program at Gladiators Wrestling. Coach Dragon is also, the Head Wrestling Coach for Ridge High School in Basking Ridge. It is undisputed that Roy Dragon III was the finest wrestler to ever compete for Bridgewater Raritan High School. Coach Dragon, a two-time High School All American, had an overall wrestling record of 148 – 12 while at Bridgewater.

During his time at Bridgewater, Roy dominated his opponents Pinning over 75% of the challengers he faced. When his high school career was over, Roy not only set the school record for Pins with 111 but was 2nd all-time in the state of NJ for pins and in the top 5 in total wins. He finished his career as a 3-time New Jersey State Place Winner.

Roy was highly recruited out of high school and chose to wrestle for the Monarchs of Old Dominion University (Division I). While wrestling for Old Dominion Roy was voted onto the Colonial Athletic Conference All Freshman Team and was a two-year starter. Injuries ended Roy’s wrestling career early.

After college Roy Dragon has coached at numerous wrestling clubs and was the Head Coach at Hillsborough High School, an assistant Varsity Coach for AL Johnson High School and Northern Valley Demarest. Coach Dragon is also a New Jersey Varsity Wrestling Official.

Roy is married and has two daughters.

Max Rogers

Max Rogers grew up in Basking Ridge and is a product of the Ridge Youth Wrestling program. Coach Rogers wrestled for the Green Wave of Delbarton where he was 112-20 during his career and 37-4 as a senior. While at Delbarton Max was a 2-time NJSIAA State Place Winner, 3-time Regional placer and 3-time District Champion, 2012 Morris County Champion, 2011 Jr. Freestyle State Champion, 2009 Fila Cadet Greco National Champion and 2008 Fargo Cadet Freestyle All American.

Max wrestled for Princeton University (Division I) from 2012-2017 and was a starter at 125 pounds early in his career and 149 pounds as an upper classman. He wrestled at the EIWA’s and finished 3rd at the Binghamton Open. Coach Rogers coaching experience includes The Westminster School in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently a volunteer coach at Ridge High School.

Brandon Spellman

Brandon Spellman is a resident of Basking Ridge, wrestled in the Ridge Youth Wrestling program and one of the best wrestlers to ever wrestle for The Pingry School. While at Pingry, Coach Spellman had a record of 116 (54 Pins, 8 Technical Falls, 8 Majors Decisions) and 25 losses. Dino, as his family and friends call him, was a 4-time Somerset County finalist and 2-time Champion (Voted Outstanding Wrestler), 4-time District Finalist and 2-time Champion, 4-time Region Qualifier taking 2nd and 3rd, Champion of Pandy Leh, Bob Dougherty and Hunterdon Central Tournaments, 2018 NJSIAA State Championships Top 12 Finish and 2019 NJSIAA State Championships Place Winner. Brandon was also selected twice for the Courier News All-Wrestling Team.

Coach Spellman currently wrestles for Princeton University at the 133 pound weight class this season. Last season Brandon wrestled as a member of the New Jersey Olympic Regional Training Center and participated in 9 College Open Tournaments. He went 19-16 on the season taking 6th at Edinboro by beating both 2 Time Ohio State Champion and Iron Man Champion Jacob Decatur and 3 Time Ohio State Champion Tommy Hoskins. He also took 6th at Wilkes defeating 2 Time NY State Champion Mathew Schreiber and he earned a 2nd place finish at the Centenary Open. He finished the season by placing 4th at the NCAA National Collegiate Open which carries with it All-American honors.

Devon Capato

Devon Capato is a resident of Basking Ridge, he was a powerhouse in the Ridge Youth Wrestling program and the winningest wrestler to ever come out of Ridge High School post 129 victories. Coach Capato was a 4-time Somerset County finalist, 4-time District Finalist, 4-time Region Qualifier taking 3rd, 2020 NJSIAA State Championships Top 16 Finish.

Coach Capato is starting his Freshman season at American University (Division I) where he will challenge for a spot at the 141 pound weight class for the Eagles.