Meet the Coaches

Ward Taggart– Ward is a Hopewell Valley alumnus and heartbeat of the youth wrestling program. He has a passion for cultivating and maintaining a strong wrestling culture within the local community. He is a lifelong coach to those who have started in the youth program.

Rich Weidel – Rich Weidel is a dedicated volunteer coach with the Hopewell Valley Youth Wrestling Program, where he has been actively involved since 2021. As a father of four, three of whom participate in the program, Rich is committed to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for young athletes. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the development of toughness, kindness, and resilience in every wrestler. Growing up in the Hopewell Valley area, Rich developed his passion for wrestling within the same community he now serves. In addition to coaching wrestling, he also shares his enthusiasm for youth sports as a coach in the Hopewell Valley Youth Football Program.
Anna Morfe – Anna Morfe is originally from Mercer County and has lived in Pennington since 2018. As the parent of a female wrestler, Anna has a personal interest in helping to support the growth of girls’ wrestling. Anna was a 4-year NCAA student-athlete at Johns Hopkins University where she played field hockey. Anna believes sports are an important conduit through which lifelong lessons and relationships are formed.
Larry Johnson – Wrestled for North Hunterdon HS
Team won Group 3 State Title my Senior Year
Started Wrestling in 7th grade, have 6 Years competitive experience
About 8 years coaching experience, love doing it!
Fun fact: I was a gymnast as a kid and I can still do a backflip and walk on my hands
Michael Kinder – Wrestled for Livingston NJ 3rd grade -HS
2nd year coaching
Kids: Ben (1st grade) and Emma (4th grade) at HES
Hobbies are fitness, golf, guitar, hiking
Fun fact: I like to drink pickle juice.
Brendon Morfe- Brendon Morfe is a Pennington resident and wrestling enthusiast. He was a standout wrestler at West Windsor-Plainsboro South. He went on to play football for the University of Delaware where he was on the 2003 National Championship team. Brendon’s coaching philosophy is focused on the process of wrestling, similar to the process of one’s character development, rather than the outcome. Brendon is a proud member of the Hopewell Valley Youth Wrestling community.