North Jersey Male Athlete of the Week looking his best after overcoming major setback

Benjamin Marchetto has a new weight, a new outlook and a new banner in his collection.

The West Milford senior wrestler collected his 100th win on Saturday after battling back from offseason surgery on his spine. The Century Club has lost some of its luster due to higher match counts, but not for Marchetto. His freshman season was cut in half with COVID altering the schedule.

And after missing the opening weekend this season, Marchetto sped up his milestone chase by going unbeaten.

"When I first got it, I didn't even realize until I came off the mat," Marchetto said. "I was still in the moment of the match. Once I found out it was my 100th win, I was really excited. It was very cool."

The pin against Ridgewood was the culmination of a long road back for Marchetto (12-0), who went for a procedure last March due to scoliosis. There was no walking for the first week and no serious training until mid-summer.

Doctors cleared him to wrestle live early in the school year, but by then, the state medalist was far behind his usual schedule. Marchetto has been known to get back on the mat the day after coming home from Atlantic City.

"It was really boring and really painful," Marchetto said. "My body was super sore and I was stuck laying in bed. I felt really lazy. It wasn't fun."

With that in mind, West Milford coach Taylor Pevny didn't know what to expect from his captain this season.

Marchetto not only had to come back to full health, but also adapt to a new spot in the lineup. The senior shot up about four inches and moved from 113 to 144 pounds.

While the added length felt awkward at first, Marchetto has learned how to use his reach to keep opponents from attacking. Of his first 12 matches this year, nine have ended by pin or technical fall. Now, Pevny has been telling people that Marchetto looks the best he's ever been.

One of the perks of the higher weight class is being able to indulge in an occasional slice of pizza or a Thanksgiving Day dessert. In the past, Marchetto would have to lose three pounds each practice and then go to a club workout to drop a few more.

"This year, he's just working out, having fun, enjoying his senior year, not cutting weight at all," Pevny said. "He's wrestling the weight he walks around at in school. I think he saw that he might not be able to wrestle again with the back. He's not taking it for granted. He's just having fun with it and really just enjoying his senior year."

Marchetto will go down as one of the most decorated wrestlers to come through Highlander Drive. He's a two-time county champion who is closing in on the school wins record set by Christian DalCais (120).

For now, Marchetto said his only goal is to train hard and wrestle aggressively.

While some in his shoes could be tempted to leave for private schools, Marchetto never wavered on his desire to stay close to home and with his friends. He honed his craft by going to Pevny's wrestling camp every year since fourth grade and now pays it forward as an assistant.

His tentative plan is to join the Coast Guard next year and give up wrestling for a path in computer programming.

"I say it all the time, kids see how hard he works and the work he puts in," Pevny said. "He's a good example to everybody else of how it should be done and he does everything the right way. He represents our school the right way and is good in the classroom."

Benjamin Marchetto

Sport: Wrestling

School: West Milford

Class: Senior. Age: 18

Accomplishment: Marchetto picked up his 100th career win on Saturday by pinning Ridgewood's AJ Tretola in 5:29.

Also nominated: Sean Golden of River Dell for basketball; Michael Granin of Ridgewood for swimming; Jack Scali of Ridgewood for ice hockey; and Aneis Zerillo of Demarest for bowling.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Record Male Athlete of the Week: Benjamin Marchetto, West Milford