Bridgewater-Raritan Wrestlers Give Back with Heart — and Teamwork

The Bridgewater-Raritan High School wrestling program showed its strength off the mat last week, as 32 wrestlers from both the varsity and JV squads devoted their time to supporting the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Over two days—Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20—the wrestlers volunteered at the organization’s warehouse on Easy Street in Bridgewater, contributing a combined 6.5 hours per group.

Under the coordination of Parent Manager Erika Karp, the students rolled up their sleeves to sort, stock, and organize incoming donations. They also assisted with special warehouse projects and welcomed community members dropping off food at the loading dock. Their hands-on support helped the Food Bank maintain smooth operations during a busy time of year.

The team’s generosity didn’t end with their volunteer shifts. The wrestlers also sponsored a food drive, collecting an impressive 683 pounds of food along with $102.53 in donations.

“Not only was this a meaningful community service effort, but it also served as a valuable team bonding experience for the wrestlers,” Karp shared.

This spirit of teamwork mirrors the momentum the program has built on the mat. Under head coach Kyle Murphy, the 2024–2025 squad recorded a historic 21–8 season—setting a school record for wins—and advanced to its first-ever Group 5 state championship match. After earning the North Jersey Section 2, Group 5 sectional title, the team battled its way to the state finals at Rutgers University.

While Southern Regional ultimately secured the championship, Coach Murphy’s pride in his wrestlers extends well beyond competition.

"Thanks to the amazing organization skills of team mom Erika Karp, we compiled an awesome community-helpful team bonding event right before the 2025–2026 season kicked off,” Murphy said. “We had a great team of nearly half, able to work together and make a meaningful impact on our community.”

He added, “Within the Bridgewater-Raritan wrestling family, it is of the utmost importance that we help give back during the holiday season.”

For the Bridgewater-Raritan wrestlers, service, teamwork, and community spirit remain just as important as strength and skill—on and off the mat.

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