Prep wrestling: Role model Scarafino signs with Salem
It was a big day for J. J. Scarafino, who made his next life step official during a letter of intent signing ceremony Monday at Independence High School.
The Patriots senior will be continuing his wrestling career at Salem University and he had friends, families and coaches there to help him celebrate. But it was important for him that among those in attendance were kids who are cutting their wrestling teeth in the Young Guns youth program. “It means a lot to me seeing the youth come out and support me and being able to be a good role model for them, to show them that there is a future in (wrestling) and that you can do more than just compete at the high school level,” Scarafino said.
Scarafino himself started wrestling at a young age. He was 10 and gave it a try at the urging of a friend. “I played football with him and he told me to come out and wrestle,” Scarafino said.
“I went and started wrestling and just stuck with it ever since. ” Scarafino was a three-time state qualifier for the Patriots, with two Region 3 runner-up finishes and a pair of Coalfield Invitational championships. In March, he finished as an all-stater, placing fifth at 120 pounds.
“I think one of my biggest highlights was freshman year, being able to compete and do as well as what I did,” he said. “I was seeing other freshmen my age and everything not doing as well as what I was, and I knew that I was capable of doing good. And then this year, I’ve competed with some really good kids and had close matches or even won matches against them.