New RCGC Wrestling Coach Dan Antonelli has always relied on building relationships as his personal formula for success.
"When you build positive and meaningful relationships with your wrestlers, your staff and your administration, you will have success," said Antonelli, a familiar and highly regarded name in the South Jersey wrestling community. "I love building relationships – this is what coaching is all about for me."
Roadrunner Athletics is happy to welcome Antonelli as its new head wrestling coach effective immediately. The hiring was announced by Brian Rowan, Executive Director of Athletics.
Coach Antonelli has enjoyed a lengthy run of success at Clayton High School, one of New Jersey's smallest public high schools. Antonelli, the current Athletic Director at Clayton and the former long-time wrestling coach for Clayton and more recently the combined Clayton/Glassboro High program, compiled over 300 career wins from 1994 through 2017.
Included among his many coaching accomplishments was a stunning triumph in the 2012 District 29 championship meet over state powers Paulsboro and Clearview, earning him the Region 8 Coach of the Year honors that season. The championship capped a season in which Clayton/Glassboro won a program-record 23 matches.
Among Antonelli's major goals will be to revive and maintain the high standards of the proud Roadrunner wrestling program, which has won six junior colleges national championships, the last coming in 2007.
"I am extremely proud to make this announcement," said Mr. Rowan regarding the addition of Coach Antonelli to the RCGC staff. "Dan has everything we were looking for with his track record of success, professionalism, and contacts in the South Jersey wrestling community. Roadrunner Wrestling has the full support and weight of our championship athletic program behind it and we are looking forward to a great run with Dan at the helm."
Coach Antonelli has been honored on numerous occasions by the local athletics community. Most recently he was inducted in 2017 into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame, while previously earning accolades as 2012 Region 8 Wrestling Coach of the Year, 2012 Tri-County Conference Athletic Director of the Year, and District 29 Wresting Coach of the Year on four occasions.
He is a Delsea Regional High School graduate who earned his Bachelors of Arts at The University of Delaware and his Masters in Administration at Wilmington University. He obtained the title of Assistant Principal of Athletics/Activities for Clayton Public Schools in 2005.
Athletic programs at Clayton under Antonelli's tenure have won more team/individual championships/accolades in school history in addition to 2013 NJSIAA Sportsmanship Award. He is proud of the fact that currently 70% of the student body participates in athletics or a competitive club.
Coach Antonelli plans on bringing this energy and enthusiasm into the RCGC wrestling program starting immediately with the upcoming 2018-2019 campaign.
"Roadrunner wrestling has a great history and fabulous support from Athletic Director Brian Rowan and the entire administration here," said Antonelli. "This is a great challenge for me, and I can't wait to get started!"