Rest assured, there will never be another like John Gill. Personality aside, the legendary Kittatinny wrestling coach is the probably the last of a rare breed.
Now in his 34th season, Gill is five wins shy of 500 career wins as the Cougars get set to face Hopatcong on Thursday evening in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division showdown. And 24 hours later, it's the big one around these parts as Kittatinny travels to Wantage for its annual rivalry match against High Point.
Wins over the Chiefs and Wildcats would set up a run at 500 on Saturday -- as Kittatinny faces Westfield and West Morris before capping a quad against host Delaware Valley. The Cougars, now in their 39th season, got their 500th win as a program a year ago.
"It would be great [to get 500 on Saturday]," said Gill, who is 495-149-5 overall, with 18 sectional and eight group championships. "Del Val-Kittatinny have had some great matches over a 20-year span, and going back to [former Terriers coach] Vince Fitz. They are very hospitable and good people at Del Val."
But first thing's first, and for Gill that means getting a second straight win over High Point. The Cougars snapped a seven-match skid in the rivalry with last season's 35-18 win at home. The 'Cats hold a 25-12-1 edge in the all-time series dating to 1976.
It goes beyond a pride thing for Gill, who lives in the High Point school district with his wife, Diane. Their four daughters all graduated from High Point and participated on various Wildcat athletic teams over the years.
"The [High Point] fans rub it in [after a loss] when I see them around town," said Gill, who is 11-21-1 all-time in the rivalry. "They say, 'Hey, Gill ... maybe next year,' and things like that. It's all good natured. Luckily, we got them last year. Beating them makes my life easier."
Make no mistake, Gill loves nothing more than to beat High Point -- or any other opponent for that matter.
"I'm a competitor," he said. "I'm actually a little jealous of our kids. When I went through high school [in the Scranton, Pa., area], we never had a match like this. These are memories the kids will always have."
Kittatinny enters this season's showdown a bit of an underdog, at least on paper. The Cougars (9-0) are currently ranked No. 11 in the state and High Point No. 9, according to the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20. Still, most wrestling prognosticators view this one being a tightly-contested affair. High Point will likely be without 126-pounder Jared Kobis (broken hand), but should have junior 120-pounder Dom Gallo back in the lineup after missing last Saturday's 52-13 loss to Phillipsburg.
"They always seem to have their best lineup against us," said Gill, who got his 400th win against West Milford on Dec. 27, 2008. "We'll see. I like our chances. We've got a good shot."
High Point (5-1) is coming off one of its worst losses at home in recent memory. Still, coach John Gardner says his 'Cats will be ready to go, regardless of whether or not they're at full strength.
"The wheels came off [against P'burg] and we couldn't get it back," said Gardner, who is 7-8 all-time vs. the Cougars. "I didn't think that would happen, but it did. I don't think we're dead and out of it."
If Kittatinny stumbles on Friday or Saturday, that would likely give more meaning to Monday's home match against Jefferson. In addition to deciding the winner of this season's NJAC Freedom Division title, it would give Gill the opportunity to get his 500th win in his home gym.
"[Either way], I want the focus to be back on the kids," said Gill, who never wants the attention on his personal accolades, and pays little attention to overall records unless reminded of them. "[Getting 500 wins] is big for me. It's difficult [coaching for 34 seasons] with the stresses and family issues. A lot of coaches don't live where they coach. These are things I couldn't have done without my health and the great support I get at home from my wife and kids. I'm not smarter than anybody else. Someday I can look back at the big picture and say I am lucky. But it's not the end all and be all."
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