In addition to raising money for charity, the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual promises to be among the most exciting and competitive high school wrestling matches that will take place in the Greater Middlesex Conference this season.

All donations collected during the sixth annual event between host South Plainfield and Old Bridge on Friday will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

Since its inception five and a half years ago, the nonprofit has donated more than a quarter of a million dollars to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The dual between the Tigers (5-2) and Knights (6-2), who are ranked second and third, respectively, in the Home News Tribune Greater Middlesex Conference Top 10, will be held at the Anthony J. Cotoia Gymnasium at 6 p.m.

Perennial power South Plainfield, which the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association ranks 14th in the state, won eight bouts on the way to a 37-24 victory in last year’s meeting between the schools.

Old Bridge had been outscored 272-24 – or by an average of 62 points per dual – during four previous contests with South Plainfield.

The senior-laden Knights, however, are enjoying a resurgence, having established themselves as one of New Jersey’s most improved programs, one that is on the precipice of cracking the statewide rankings.

Old Bridge had a six-match winning streak snapped in a 48-22 loss to state-ranked and defending Group V champion Phillipsburg in the finals of Saturday’s Cougar Classic Duals, which reigning seven-time Union County Tournament champion Cranford hosted.

The Knights had not lost since opening the year with a 38-25 setback (Old Bridge wrestled without three starters) to state-ranked North Hunterdon, which South Plainfield defeated 39-35 Saturday to advance to the finals of the Boresch Duals against state-ranked Delsea.

South Plainfield was coming off a 34-23 loss to state-ranked Saint Joseph of Metuchen, ranked No. 1 in the Home News Tribune Greater Middlesex Conference Top 10.

Winners of 27 conference tournament crowns, South Plainfield has also won a state-record 37 consecutive district tournament titles and is the reigning Central Group III champion.

The Tigers entered this season having to replace five region qualifiers who combined for 130 wins a year ago. Returning state placewinners JJ Giordano (7th at 144), Nicholas Campagna (8th at 150), senior captain Andrew Loniewski (12-3 at 144) and fellow upperclassman Justus Niemeyer (10-2 at 175) pace the Tigers, along with freshman Joseph Stanzione (8-3 at 120) and sophomore Nicholas Irizarry (8-5 at 126).

“This could be a very close dual,” South Plainfield coach Steve Johnston said. “It’s going to come down to who does the little things, whether you can get bonus points where you can get them or avoid bonus points in some weight classes. Any big dual meet always comes down to those things.”

Old Bridge returns the bulk of its lineup including Tyler Sagi (13-0 at 157) and Logan Roman (14-1 120), who NJ.com ranks among the top eight in the state in their respective weight classes. The Knights also feature incumbent region qualifiers Jesse Koczon (14-1 at 126), Austin Miller (8-6 at 150), Dan Hennessey (12-2 at 175) and Rob Orzol (10-3 at 215).

“We cannot be satisfied with keeping it close against these good teams,” said Old Bridge head coach John Post, whose Knights shined in two season-opening tournaments including the Hunterdon Central Invitational. “Someone’s going to have to step up and I think we are ready for that.”

Post took over the program four years ago when most members of his team were freshmen. He previously coached many of the upperclassmen as mat rats in the township’s youth program.

“This group and this season are very special for me personally because they are all like little brothers,” Post said, “and we’ve seen a lot of them mature into top-level competitors.”

The Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual will take place for the first time without Ron Mazzola, a beloved member of the Old Bridge and statewide wrestling communities who died unexpectedly last February, leaving an irreplaceable void.

Among the foundation’s biggest supporters and a dear friend of Marisa’s father, Greg, a former journalist with the Home News Tribune and Courier News, Mazzola’s impact on the nonprofit and the sport can never be overstated.

Owner of an awards and apparel company, Mazzola was integral to the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual, taking part in its planning, creating and donating Most Outstanding Wrestler trophies, designing T-shirts for wrestlers and coaches, delivering poignant pre- and post-match remarks, and using his vast social media following to promote the event, which has already raised a total of nearly $20,000 for the foundation.

“We miss him tremendously,” said Post, noting Old Bridge has been wrestling all year with Mazzola on their minds and in their hearts, adding Friday’s dual will be no different.

“Although he’s not going to be there physically, I’m sure he’ll be watching over every second of the match. We are doing it in part for Ron. We’re going in with a game plan to win and we are expecting to win.”

Marisa Tufaro, who was born with a complex cardiac defect, survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.

An honor roll student involved in multiple extracurricular activities, Marisa lived a vibrant life that inspired.

The nonprofit established in her loving memory has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded $26,500 in academic scholarships to 38 inspirational high school seniors including South Plainfield graduates Jeffrey Jacome, Nick Loniewski, Abdul Cokley, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, and Charles Lovett.

Old Bridge alumnus Rishabh Jain, valedictorian of last year’s graduating class, received the 2022 Marisa Tufaro Memorial Community Service Scholarship.

Greater Middlesex Conference Executive Director Frank Noppenberger, who serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees, praised the Old Bridge and South Plainfield wrestling programs for continuing their tradition of supporting The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

“This is a great group of guys that understand sacrifice, so to see them stepping up like this is not a surprise to me,” Noppenberger said. “Wrestlers are a very unique bunch. They always take care of one another, be it their team or an opponent. It’s a very neat fraternity because wrestlers will remain friends with each other for the rest of their lives. What they are doing to honor Marisa and support the foundation is outstanding.”

The Old Bridge and South Plainfield school-communities are renown throughout Middlesex County and beyond for their abundant support of others in need.

Through their participation in individual events or conference-wide all-star games and activities, members of both high schools’ football, swimming, bowling, baseball, golf, girls soccer, and basketball teams have joined their wrestling program in fundraising for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

“Words can’t express our gratitude to the South Plainfield and Old Bridge wrestling programs for continuing this wonderful annual tradition,” said Cyndi Tufaro, Marisa’s mother and executive director of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. “We are eternally grateful and honored to pay forward their benevolence. The overwhelming support of these two outstanding school-communities has enabled our nonprofit to assist countless children in need. The impact they have made is profound.”

Old Bridge hosted the first ever charity event for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, a wildly successful toy drive during a “Holiday Knight” themed 2017 football game that collected thousands of presents for pediatric patients at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children Hospital and Saint Peter’s University Children’s Hospital. Old Bridge Schools Superintendent Dave Cittadino actually brought a live reindeer to that event.

Over the last decade, the South Plainfield wrestling program has aided other causes. The Tigers hosted a fundraising dual meet against Bergen Catholic for prostate cancer awareness and took part in another fundraising dual meet at Rutgers University against Monroe to assist former Rutgers Prep wrestler Brett Epps in his battle with a life-threatening illness.

“While it’s important to be a great wrestler from South Plainfield, it’s more important to be a better person, and that’s what we strive to preach to our kids,” Johnston said. “Wrestling can only take you so far. These lessons you take and carry with you for the rest of your life. Being able to give back to the community gives the kids a sense of ownership and pride in what they are doing. It shows they are respectful and aware of the people that have helped them and helped the program of South Plainfield and the community. They want to give back.”

State Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., a lifelong South Plainfield resident whose legislative district includes his hometown, praised the Tigers and Knights for making the annual Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual a resounding success.

“This type of response really proves why Old Bridge and South Plainfield are special places to live,” said Diegnan, who also serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees.

“People care about each other and support each other and when there is a need, they do what is right. That’s what community is all about.”

Those attending the memorial dual will receive complementary foundation wristbands and thank you letters from the nonprofit.

Following are some of the ways The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has helped pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area (please click on any of the links below to read about each endeavor).

  • To help alleviate the anxiety that can accompany an emergency department visit or hospital stay, donated a portable gaming station to The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital.
  • Provided funding to expand the music therapy program and purchase musical equipment for pediatric patients at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.
  • Provided tuition assistance for children enrolled in Middlesex college’s on-campus Early Learning Center, which provides year-round pre-school activities for children of Middlesex College students, staff, and community residents.
  • Sponsored 60 Greater Middlesex Conference golfers to participate in the Tee Off Against Hunger to benefit Hands of Hope, a nonprofit that combats hunger in Middlesex County.
  • Partnered with the Colonia High School football team to tackle a Super Bowl-themed community service project that benefited pediatric patients and their families at PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.
  • Donated to Women Aware’s PALS Program, which offers counseling for children ages 3 through 12 and supportive services including individual and group creative arts therapy counseling sessions to families who have been victimized by domestic violence and abuse.
  • Donated to Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital’s newly established extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program, a specialized cardiac and respiratory support system that saved Marisa’s life at another medical facility following her heart transplant.
  • Conducted a boardwalk-themed Family Fun Night for consecutive years at PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital, where the sights, sounds and smells of the Jersey Shore were brought to patients and their families through carnival games, food, prizes, music and more.
  • Partnered with the Saint Joseph High School football program and campus ministry to pack and donate more than 200 “Weekend Snack Bags” for pediatric patients’ families at PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.
  • Partnered with Woodbridge High School, the Central Jersey bowling community and the Port Reading Fire Department and EMS to deliver more than 1,000 toys to patients at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital during the holiday season.
  • As a way of giving back to the Rutgers University baseball program, whose roster features several players that have supported our nonprofit, our foundation matched the Scarlet Knights’ fundraising efforts with a donation to Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital’s child life program.
  • Funded the purchase of brand-new metal bunk beds for campers at Kiddie Keep Well Camp, which serves more than 600 underserved Middlesex County children annually.
  • Partially funded the Make-A-Wish of a Middlesex County boy who is winning a battle with high-risk neuroblastoma to vacation with his family at Walt Disney World.
  • Partnered with Edison High School and the Chamberlain College of Nursing for two consecutive years to raise money and collect nonperishable food items to benefit Middlesex County children and their families through Hands of Hope via our foundation’s participation in the Race to Outrun Hunger.
  • Made a donation in recognition of Piscataway’s Conackamack Middle School, which honored Marisa during its annual Turkey Trot, to the township’s FISH Hospitality Program, which provides shelter, meals, clothing and other services to homeless families in Middlesex County.
  • Provided James Monroe Elementary School students with food items to fill a hundred “Weekend Snack Bags” for pediatric patients’ families.
  • Donated more than $2,500 worth of ShopRite, Target and Walmart gift cards to dozens of Middlesex County families in need, helping parents purchase food, necessities and presents for their children during the holiday season.
  • In honor of the players and coaches who participated in the Soccer for a Cause Charity Festival, our nonprofit made a $1,000 donation to REPLENISH, a regional food bank serving Middlesex County residents including an estimated 30,000 children
  • Partnered with Middlesex High School to conduct a coat drive for Middlesex County children.