Nutley Student Wins 2nd Straight Javelin State Championship

Robert Melillo, a Nutley High School graduating senior, was honored by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for winning the Group 3 Javelin State Championship for the second consecutive year.

The board’s commendation was sponsored and presented by District 5 Freeholder Cynthia D. Toro of Bloomfield during a June meeting held at the Hall of Records in Newark.

Freeholder Toro introduced two-time state champion Melillo as an “outstanding young man from the district I represent on the Freeholder Board,” and recounted his accomplishments with the javelin, as the quarterback of the Nutley High School football team and as a volunteer in his community.

Melillo thanked the Board for honoring him, as well as “everyone in the Nutley School System for pushing me to be the best I could be.”

He also thanked all of his coaches and his teammates.

“I also want to thank my parents for always being there when I need them,” added Melillo.

According to a release, Melillo won his second consecutive Group 3 state championship on Saturday, May 30th, in South Plainfield with throws of 186’2” and 185’2”, while also capturing his third straight North 2 Group 3 sectional championship.

This season he also won the Essex County Track & Field Javelin Championship, his second consecutive Super Essex Conference (SEC) Liberty Division Championship, he placed 6th at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, and qualified to compete at the New Balance Javelin Nationals in June.

In addition to his prowess with the javelin as a member of the Track & Field Team, Melillo was the quarterback and long snapper for the NHS football team, where he earned 1st Team All-SEC Offense and 1st Team All-Area Offense honors this season.

He also received the Nutley UNICO “Brian Piccolo Athlete of the Year Scholarship Award”, and the Nutley High School/Nutley Third Half Club’s “Martin Rizzolo Memorial Award” and “Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year Award.”

Melillo is a member of the Nutley High School Patriot Club, sings in the Concert Choir, and as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a family that lost their home during the recent massive tornadoes.

He also works as a Referee for the Nutley Recreation Department’s Flag Football and Basketball programs, and an umpire for its Girls Softball program, and works snow removal with Gaccione Landscaping.

The son of Dana Melillo and Frank Gaccione, Melillo will attend Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland in the fall.

Photo courtesy of Glen Frieson