Coach Kurz 'Couldn't Be More Proud' of WHS Wrestlers Barber and Bulger

For the first time in two decades, two Westfield High School wrestlers competed in the quarterfinal round of the 2013 NJSIAA State wrestling championship in Atlantic City.

Senior grapplers Colin Barber and Brian Bulger made Westfield proud this past weekend, said WHS wrestling coach Glen Kurz.

"Colin Barber placed seventh in the state at 152 pounds and Brian Bulger placed in the top 12 of the 182-pound class," Kurz explained. "This was the first time Westfield had two quarter-finalists in at least 20 years."

Kurz, who told Patch several weeks ago that he believes this year's team was the best he's put on a mat in his 15 years at WHS, said what Bulger and Barber have done for the program "can't be measured in metals or state place finishes. They served as outstanding leaders and turned this year's team back in the right direction."

"Reaching the state championships is an amazing accomplishment," said Kurz. "Every wrestler starts the year with a goal of making it to Atlantic City. Only the very best have the opportunity to wrestle in front of a crowd of over 14,000.

"The two Westfield boys went there with high aspirations and showed that they were capable of placing in the top 3 or 4 at their weight class. I know they're disappointed that they didn't finish higher, but that's because they're true competitors. They wouldn't have been satisfied unless they won. Still, what they accomplished is the result of hours and hours of work and dedication that nobody outside of our program could understand, and I couldn't be more proud of the way they represented Westfield."