Haddonfield wrestling legend returns as head coach

Christopher Bolletino is returning home.

After a standout wrestling career at Haddonfield Memorial High School, Bolletino is back with the program after being named its new head coach on Friday, the school announced on social media.

Bolletino, a 2018 graduate of HMHS, was one of the most successful wrestlers in school history, accumulating a 135-29 career record which included a District 27 title, two Region 7 runner-up finishes and three trips to the state tournament. His career win total was a program record until last winter when Michael Lamb finished with 147 career victories.

“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to return to Haddonfield as head wrestling coach,” Bolletino said in a press release from the school.

“This program has always meant so much to me, and I look forward to building on its proud tradition. My goal is to develop disciplined, resilient young men who compete with passion, represent our school with pride, and continue the legacy of excellence that Haddonfield wrestling has established.”

Bolletino replaces Eric Hamrick, who stepped down in May after guiding the program for seven seasons. The Bulldogs went 116-54 under Hamrick, including the program’s first-ever South Jersey Group 2 title in 2023. The team went 20-6 last winter, the highest win total of Hamrick’s tenure.

After a four-year career at Franklin & Marshall, Bolletino was an assistant coach last winter, helping to lead the Raiders to their first-ever sectional title. He was also a coach with Beat the Streets Lancaster.

“Chris embodies everything we value in a Haddonfield coach,” Haddonfield athletic director Lefteris Banos said. “He understands the tradition and expectations of our wrestling program because he lived them as a student-athlete. His passion for the sport, commitment to developing young people, and desire to give back to his hometown make him and outstanding choice to lead our program into the future.”

Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 40 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at tmcgurk@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Haddonfield wrestling legend returns as head coach