Tradition Never Graduates: Bloomfield High Wrestling Program Thriving Under Ryan Smircich, and a Dedicated Group of Bengal Coaches

While the high school wrestling season doesn't commence until near Thanksgiving, there's plenty going on during the "off season", both on the mat, and honoring a storied legacy at Bloomfield High.

Head coach Ryan Smircich succeeded a legend in Sam Fusaro back in 2017, after serving as an assistant with the program.

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And Smircich's momentum has always moved forward.

The wrestling program has enjoyed some tremendous seasons in Smircich's first seven years. Last winter, he won his 100th career match.

During Smircich's tenure, the girls wrestling program has taken off. That includes five state champions, four of which were won by Kira Pipkins and one by Gianna Faura. There have also been numerous state medal winners in the female category.

Smircich introduced the Bloomfield Holiday Tournament, for girls, and it has taken off with some strong turnouts.

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This coming season, there will be a Bloomfield Invitational for the boys, with Union City, Somerville, Newark East Side, Cresskill, Madison, Secaucus, Voorhees, Metuchen, Freehold Borough and Whippany Park, joining the Bengals for the tourney, at Bloomfield High, in December.

While the present and future certainly look bright, Smircich also enjoys honoring the Bengals past. While he may have done his high school wrestling at Hopatcong High, where he won a NJSIAA medal in 2000, Ryan has certainly embraced Bloomfield's great wrestling names.

There are banners in The Pit, honoring the state champions, including Art Cuffari, Pipkins and Faura. Those wrestlers with 100 or more victories are Rami Ratel, Joe Chiaravallo, Pipkins, Christopher Rosetti, Fabian Rosario and Zach Andruchowitz, and they each have their name proudly displayed in banners, which includes a photo, in The Pit.

During the summer, the Bengals do practice a few times a week, and starting in July, the team will compete in tournaments. Among the coaches are Pipkins, Fauro, Kelechi Ibeh, Jason Galioto, Chris Lombardi, Rosario, Andruchowitz, Michael Marzano and Kyle Christiansen.

Smircich enjoys his role in the summer.

"I do more of the administrative stuff, and there's a lot to keep up on," the coach said. "It's important for our younger kids and high school kids to hear a different voice, too. They hear me from November to February/March. We have a great group of former Bloomfield High wrestlers, who offer a lot to the program. I want our kids to learn from them, too.

"It's not bad having Kira Pipkins working with the youngsters. What she accomplished high school is incredible. And that's why, it's important for our kids to not only see them coach, but for them to look at the banners and realize how great those wrestlers were in high school. It's nice to match a name to the face."

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