Senior George Hamilton is a standout wrestler for the Pascack Valley Wrestling team with an individual record of 11-2 in the 157-pound weight class this year. He has an individual record of  5-1 in the 165 weight class from when he wrestles up. Coach Gary Beyer refers to Hamilton as a “son” to him and explains how much of a hard worker and leader he is to his team. 

“Georgie is the exact type of leader needed for a sport like wrestling,” his coach said. “He has an incredible work ethic, he is always ready to do whatever is needed of him, he helps and supports every one of his teammates, he is fearless and always willing to do whatever the coaches and the team needs of him whether in competition or practice, and he lives his life and conducts himself at all times in a way that is exemplary. He’s the kind of person who will most certainly be in many leadership roles throughout his life.”

Hamilton credits his dad for his wrestling success.

“My dad is the one who originally got me into this sport, he was a coach and once I was old enough he brought me to a practice to try it out and I knew it was something that was going to be a part of me,” Hamilton said. 

Hamilton has a lot of great memories, but the memory that stands out the most is when he faced off against Pascack Hills as a sophomore and wrestled an older opponent. 

“It was my first time wrestling in an exciting and crowded atmosphere like that,” Hamilton said. “I was wrestling someone who was a few years older than I was and a lot of people had me as the underdog in that match. I came out of the match with a second-period pin and had the whole student section behind me. This memory is something that I will never forget…[even] beyond my wrestling career.”

Hamilton has had a fantastic high school career so far and has a total record of 50-21.

Even though Hamilton has a dominant record, there is something he has to overcome every day. Hamilton has Type 1 diabetes, which he has to manage during match days and regular practice days. 

“Being an athlete with diabetes can be tough, but I don’t only look at the downsides,” Hamilton said. “I look at it as a positive, knowing that I am capable of overcoming something like this. There are times…[when] I need to take a break from practice because of blood sugar problems, but I don’t let that distract me from…[the] goals I have set for myself. It has its impacts that aren’t avoidable but are manageable. I make sure that I control what I can control and let God do the rest.”

Hamilton talks about his pregame meals and his superstitions to perform at the highest level.

“My post-weigh-in/pre-game meal/snacks is a Met-rx bar with a Nutella banana honey sandwich and a grape Pedialyte,” Hamilton said. 

Hamilton always puts his singlet straps up and headgear on one match before his.

“I do this because I hate the feeling of needing to rush to be prepared before my match,” Hamilton said. “I always make sure I am ready to wrestle as soon as the match before me ends.”

Hamilton has high expectations for himself and his team heading into States. 

“The expectation for the team in states this year is to bring home a state section title,” Hamilton said. “We definitely have the team to do that. I know that and everyone knows that, it has been on our mind since day one. Everyone on the team knows it is well within our reach, so it’s just up to us to keep working hard and trust our wrestling and the work we have put in when that time comes.”

Hamilton’s goal for the season is to be on the podium at Atlantic City.

“I know I have put in the work needed to accomplish this and I know I am capable of qualifying and doing some damage down there,” Hamilton said. “Up until then, I am 100% focused on continuing to work hard in the room and perform on the mat.”

Hamilton plans to wrestle in college and is currently exploring his options.

Senior Point Guard Celina Bussanich has led the Pascack Valley Girls Basketball to an 11-6 record so far this season. As a four-year starter, Bussanich has been productive on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for Valley.

As a junior, she reached the 1,000 point mark against West Milford on Feb. 16. This season, Bussanich has recorded 262 points, 83 rebounds, and 60 assists. 

Bussanich grew up playing AAU basketball and stuck with the sport. She credits her dad as her biggest role model. 

“My dad is my biggest role model because he is someone who I respect,” Bussanich said. “He is a great example of what it means to be a hard worker and a leader.” 

Bussanich’s basketball career at PV began in the summer before her freshman year. Coach Jeff Jasper recalls a moment during her very first summer league game: he pulled Bussanich to the side and said, “You’ll be the point guard for the next four years.”

“It’s rare that a freshman can start for a Varsity Basketball program, especially the long gold line program that’s been created here…,” Jasper said. “But I saw right away that she was special.”

Celina follows basketball on both a professional and collegiate level. She likes the New York Knicks in the NBA and the Duke Blue Devils in college.

Bussanich hopes to make a deep run in the state and county tournament this year. Individually, she hopes to earn First-Team All-County and State recognition. Since she began playing basketball, she has wanted to improve her skills and get better every day.

After graduation, Bussanich will continue her basketball career at Montclair State University, where she will be studying Exercise Science.