Borgia’s Brilliant Bronze Boardwalk Finale Caps Historic Career

3/15/26

By David Yaskulka

Photos from Jen Sheppard and Sheryl Reed. Special thanks to team statisticians Adriana Georgiev, Alexa Moscotello, Kaylee Viera and Tilly Vazquez.

Tommy Borgia capped his brilliant West Morris Central wrestling career by taking bronze at the NJSIAA/IBEW Local 102 State Championship in Atlantic City Saturday, March 14. Borgia’s Boardwalk Hall finale was WMC’s best placement in 35 years, as he also shattered his own wins records, finishing 46-2 this season, and 159-21 overall.

“My career at WMC has been nothing short of perfect for me,” said Borgia, who was highly-recruited as a youth wrestler. “I could have gone to a private school and been around a bunch of strangers. But I decided to stay home with my friends and family, and compete in front of the most influential people in my life.”

In his final match, Borgia faced familiar foe Jared Martini of Mt. Olive. The WMC senior captain left little doubt, wrestling conservatively and remaining in control throughout for a 7-1 victory. Earlier this year, R2 champ Martini (38-10) had closed the gap since Borgia pinned him in 38 seconds last season. Borgia majored Martini 13-1 at this year’s Mt. Olive dual, then beat him 4-1 at counties. The trend added some drama to the medal match.

“Jared has been one of my best friends for the past 10 years and we have literally grown up together,” reflected Borgia. “Ending my wrestling career on the mat with one of my best friends was a full circle moment. We got to go out there in front of a full crowd, battle, and have fun for the last six minutes of my wrestling career.”

With his historic career ending in victory, Borgia took off his head gear, hugged Martini, and waved humbly to the crowd. He hugged coaches Chris Marold and Tommy Nicolicchia, and walked off the mat gesturing, perhaps to himself, with a subtle, satisfied fist to his chest.

Asked how he wanted his high school career to be remembered by the Wolfpack faithful, Borgia was quick to transcend athletic adulation.

“I want to be remembered as someone who is kind, respectful, made an impact on people's lives in a positive way, always able to bring light to the dark world that we all live in, and above all someone who serves the Lord and makes others a better version of themselves.”

Top Level Teammate Support

Borgia had a historic level of teammate support in AC, with a record-tying six Pack members total qualifying, including Brody Neill, John Garcia, Rob Fazzino, Deacon Frayne and Michael Borgia entering state championship competition. But the Pack’s AC experience (non-Tommy division) ended in disappointment, with 10 straight losses on Thursday, eliminating all five with no AC wins.

Seniors Fazzino and the Borgia boys concluded their Wolfpack wrestling careers where every wrestler dreams – in hallowed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Juniors Neill and Garcia and sophomore Frayne will return as coach Borgia’s upperclassmen hammers, and returning state qualifiers.

Borgia’s Podium Path

Amazingly, Princeton football commit Borgia had four pins at states, himself pinning the only wrestler who had five, Hillsborough fifth-place winner Nicholas Duarte (45-4), in 45 seconds. Borgia’s 29 pins this season (despite receiving 12 forfeits) is third-most all time for WMC, after his own 33 last season, and Frayne’s 31 pins this year.

Borgia pinned Burlington junior Kyheem Freeman (29-7) in 62 seconds in championship round one; Neptune R6 champion Jarairya Jean (32-5) in the second period of pre-quarters, then decked Plainfield’s Raymir Brighton (32-4), who had just upset Delbarton’s August Moser, in 41 seconds to advance to semifinals.

There Borgia found the matchup that seemed destined since the season began – the #2 seed to Borgia’s #3 – returning NJ bronze medalist Mateo Vinciguerra from Woodstown (43-1), ranked #13 in the nation (Flo). It could not have been much closer. Borgia was in deep on a shot, but Vinciguerra successfully defended and ended up with the three. The Maryland commit was able to prevail 3-1 to advance to finals.

“That was obviously a stinger,” said Borgia. “Losing in the state semis in such a close match is always a tough thing to deal with. However, I knew going into the match that no matter what the outcome was in the end, I was going to give him six minutes of ‘hell’ and the hardest match he has had so far this year, which I feel like I did. Unfortunately, he came out on top, but that’s just the way life goes sometimes.”

In fact, the NJ.com finals announcer said Vinciguerra pinned every NJ competitor through the season, districts, regions and states, until the states semifinals when he narrowly beat Borgia 3-1.

With his lifelong goal of a state championship no longer in reach, Borgia simply said, “when you get knocked down, you've got no choice but to get back up and battle.”

In consolation semifinals, Borgia faced R5 champion Duarte, who had just advanced with an 11 second pin. But it was Borgia who made quick work to advance.

Borgia’s last and 159thth high school win for bronze set the new bar for career wins in a WMC singlet. Earlier this season he passed Shane Metzler’s career mark of 144. Borgia’s 45th win this season surpassed Borgia’s own mark of 43 from last season. Borgia’s pin of Duarte was the 97th of his career, shattering the mark of 68 he held together with coach Mark Montuore Jr. last season.

In the arena, multiple announcements were made thanking IBEW Local 102, whose mission is to promote safe working conditions and improve the lives of its members, for supporting NJ high school wrestling as the post-season sponsor.

Historic Bronze

Borgia’s bronze is WMC’s best in 35 years (among boys), since Mike Mulrooney won it all in 1991. Greg Cholish was WMC's first (and only other) state champion in 1973, having placed second in 1972, and eighth in 1971.

This century, Dillon Landi (2006) and Shane Metzler (2015) both placed fourth at states for WMC. Marissa Di Paulo took girls bronze in 2021, and fourth in 2022. This decade, Brandon Dean’s sixth (2023) had been the best boys’ finish for the Pack.

Best Win (in a loss)

John Garcia, the third WMC wrestler this century to qualify for states after having a losing record the prior season (Adam Kratch, John DeVito), took on the #2 ranked wrestler in the state Thursday (Mar. 12) to begin his AC journey – two-time region champ and returning state medalist Trevor Jones of Delbarton. While no bracket-rocking upset was in the cards, after Jones took Garcia down and cut him, Garcia took Jones down to take a 4-3 lead.

To put that moment in context, at the time Jones was taken down by Garcia, similarly-ranked Tommy Borgia (#3 vs. Jones #2) was taken down a total of once this season (by world bronze medalist and now state champion Tanner Hodgins). In the R3 finals, Jones faced then-NJ #1 ranked Joey Monticello, who did not score a take down on Jones, nor did he ever take the lead.

In short, it’s rare and special for a "mere mortal” (i.e., a wrestler not ranked in the top five) to take a top-three wrestler down.

Fazzino Finishes Fabulous Four Years – in AC

Rob Fazzino (175, 32-14) concludes an outstanding Wolfpack career as a rare (for WMC) mid-high school transfer who made an immediate impact as a sophomore, rising to team captain and district champion his senior year. His 81 career wins are 26th in WMC history, and he had 18 pins among his 32 wins this season. In dual meets, highlight Fazzino wins included High Point, Randolph, Pascack Valley, Hanover Park and Wall. He was 3-0 in sectional playoffs with wins against Elmwood Park, Gov. Livingston and Caldwell.

Fazzino qualified for regions his injury-impaired junior year, and as a senior medaled in every tournament – bronze at Caldwell, Goles and Counties; silver at Knolls; winning the D12 championship; and taking fourth at R3 to qualify for states. Fazzino concluded his high school career in Boardwalk Hall.

Michael Borgia’s Boardwalk Climb

Michael Borgia (215, 17-6) concluded his excellent WMC wrestling career in Boardwalk Hall – where only a handful of WMC bigs have ever competed. He was a four-year starter, and one of the best big men in school history – one of the few two-time region qualifiers at a top-three weight. He was a two-time district silver medalist, took silver and bronze at the Knolls tournament, and was a Morris County place winner last season.

Despite being a returning district finalist (and team “Most Improved Wrestler” award winner), Michael sat on the bench in a numbers crunch behind Frayne most of this season. But the injury to Chris Kowalik and Frayne’s selflessness (cutting to 190) allowed Michael to return. He rewarded his team's efforts, going 14-3 after returning, and qualifying for states.

“Michael’s been my drilling partner and is one of the reasons I got to where I am right now,” said Tommy. “We are twins, we do everything together, and the fact that we were able to end it together at the boardwalk in one last run together was amazing. He truly had one of the most historic runs in WMC wrestling history to get to the state tournament, and I’m unbelievably proud of him.”

Neill Nabs Nonpareil First Three Years

Neill (138, 34-7) paired a heartbreaking postseason with historic milestones. He became just the third junior in WMC history to reach 100 wins, finishing the year with 111 – already tied (with Dylan Luciano) for the eighth most in school history, and on-pace to finish top-two with Tommy. He’s just the third wrestler in school history to reach states his first three seasons (with Michael Campanaro and Tommy), joining Tommy and Shane Metzler climbing the podium before senior year.

On his way to states Neill was a finalist in every tournament including Goles and D12 championships, and silver at Caldwell, Morris County, and R3.

Three of his losses were to Solomon Soriente (who placed eighth), including one by injury, and most recently, one (at R3) where many thought Neill won by pin. This season he took down some of the best wrestlers in the state, including Holmdel’s #18 Dylan Placca, and at R3, DePaul Catholic’s #25 Isaias Hernandez.

In a rare show of respect from coaches, three of Neill’s losses this season resulted in Outstanding Wrestler awards for beating him. His wins included victories over wrestlers from powerhouses Bergen Catholic, Del Val, St. Joseph, Mt. Olive, Hopewell Valley, Pope John, Old Bridge and Howell.

Garcia’s Gigantic Growth

Garcia (157, 25-24) went from 12-18 last season to qualifying for states in 2025-26, a remarkable ascent for a breakout junior year – culminating with an AC takedown against one of the top wrestlers in the country. Garcia had four tournament placements (his first ever placements) including Goles sixth, Caldwell and County fifth, and most impressively a D12 silver medal to advance to regions. Garcia’s memorable 17-1 tech fall against Sparta turned the tide on the squad’s first dual, starting the Pack on their record-breaking path.

Among Garcia’s 22 victories were key wins against Matawan and Randolph, and playoff wins against Gov. Livingston and Elmwood Park. Next season, coach Marold will look to Garcia as a returning state qualifier and senior leader in the mid to upper weights.

Frayne’s Stellar – and Selfless – Sophomore Season

Frayne (190, 40-7), whose team sacrifice (cutting to 190 ) was one of the great stories of the season, may have paid a personal price. His most elite victories were at 215 – including one that was avenged (twice) at 190. Nonetheless, Frayne’s stellar season culminated in qualifying for states as a sophomore big, and he’ll be a popular podium pick (likely at a more-comfortable 215) next season.

Frayne’s all-time great season included 31 pins, second most in school history (exceeding his brother Henry); and 40 wins, tied for sixth most in WMC history. Among underclassmen, the 31 pins are the most ever (exceeding teammate Neill’s 26 and Chris Kowalik's 24 in their freshman years); the 40 wins is second all time (to Brandon Dean’s 41). It’s also the sixth most pins this season in all of New Jersey (tied).

Frayne was the Knolls and Goles tournament champion; the Caldwell, Morris County and district silver medalist, and region bronze medalist to advance to states.

Not So Fun Facts

Jacob Harrison, WMC'S highest ranked wrestler not to ascend to states, saw five of his six teammates go winless Thursday in AC. What he didn't see though, was any of the four wrestlers who qualified above him eliminated to that point. All four qualifiers from that stacked R3 144 pound bracket had two wins each as of Friday morning.

Frayne, and Ridge’s Dominic Dorrman (190, 38-6) – whom Frayne pinned at R3 for bronze – both lost in the first championship round Thursday. But Dorrman ran the gauntlet after that, winning four straight consolation matches, and ultimately finished seventh (with thanks to coach Tom Whittemore for the insights).

Solomon Soriente (138, 40-7), the Caldwell senior who topped Neill three times this season, finished eighth.

Tanner Hodgins of Howell, Tommy Borgia's only regular season loss, teched Mt. Olive’s Nico Gonzalez for the 215 lb. state championship.

Marold’s 2026-27 Riches

A public school wrestling coach turns first to his returning qualifiers to lead the team forward. Next season, in 2026-27, coach Marold will have returning senior state qualifiers Neill and Garcia, and junior Frayne to lead the way.

He’ll also have returning region qualifiers, starting with senior district champion Harrison, along with classmates Kurt Beyer and Mason Vazquez, and junior Jonathan Cabarle. He’ll have district placers junior Lucas Harrison, and sophomore Ryan Tie, and returning starters Jacob Reed, Nick Galvin, Van Muttart, Grant Baker, Julian Healy and Jack Sheppard. He’ll have some strong incoming freshmen (including Cabarle and Harrison relatives), and perhaps most importantly, returning district champion Kowalik.

AC Local

Among local schools, Mt. Olive had an outstanding showing at States, led by the big guys. Nicolas Gonzalez (44-2) took out the four-seed and the one-seed to place second. Martini took fourth, freshman Cole Rebels (120, 32-4) placed 7th , Colin Smyth (150, 38-9) and Justin Bullock (165, 38-7) fell one win short in WB4 (the blood round, where winners medal and losers go home) top-12 finishes. Thomas McDonald (144, 27-16) to WB1.

Hackettstown's Steven Vidal (106, 38-11) got as close as one can to the podium, making it to quarterfinals before falling in WB4. Joseph Rowinski (120, 43-6) made it WB3, Bryan Dougherty (150, 35-11) to WB2, and Giovanni Gutierrez (126, 37-12) to WB1.

Mendham, in a rebuilding year, did not qualify any wrestlers for states. Delbarton draped the podium with medalists and champions, including world #1 Penn State commit Jayden James, USA #5 University of Pennsylvania commit Carl Betz, and USA #5 Lehigh commit Cam Sontz.

WMC State Championship History

• WMC has two state champions in its wrestling history, Mike Mulrooney in 1991, and Greg Cholish in 1973. Neill’s was the 26th State Championship medal in school history overall.
• Before Borgia and Neill, Campanaro was the only Wolfpack wrestler to qualify for the State Championship his freshman year. Borgia joined him as the only WMC wrestlers to qualify all four years, something Neill can accomplish next season.
• Last season in 2025, Borgia placed seventh in his junior year.
• In 2024, Neill became WMC’s first-ever freshman medalist, taking 7th. Borgia also made history with unprecedented advancement for an upperweight underclassman.
• In 2023, Dean placed sixth in Atlantic City where Borgia became one of two WMC freshmen to ever win a match. Michael Campanaro completed an illustrious career with his fourth State championship appearance, but was denied the podium with a devastating injury (for the third year in a row).
• In 2022, Campanaro and Henry Frayne competed at States, with one Campanaro elbow-injury-hampered victory between them, and WMC girl’s wrestling pioneer Marisa DiPaolo ascended the podium for the second year in a row, an accomplishment only matched by Metzler on the boy’s side.
• In 2021, this time wrestling with one eye pounded shut, Campanaro placed top-12 in the state.
• Colin Loughney ascended the legendary podium in 2020, placing eighth to culminate his outstanding Wolfpack career.
• Justin LeMay reached the podium in 2019, placing seventh in his third trip to States.
• Marco Gaita overcame injuries to place fifth in Boardwalk Hall in 2018, the culmination of his legendary career.
• Shane Metzler nabbed the last win of his record-shattering WMC career to place seventh in 2017, an unprecedented three-peat on the podium. Gaita, Kade Loughney and LeMay placed top-12.
• In 2016, Metzler became WMC’s second to repeat on the podium, placing fifth. Greg Cholish last accomplished a WMC podium repeat 43 years prior.
• Metzler placed fourth in 2015.
• Jesse Windt had one of the great seasons in WMC history in 2014, but it ended with an illness-impaired top-12 finish.
• Nick Matthews ended a Pack podium drought with a sixth place finish in 2013. The only prior 21st Century WMC podium ascent was Dillon Landi’s 2006 fourth.

State Champions

1991-Mike Mulrooney-119

1973-Greg Cholish-123

State Place Winners

2025-Tommy Borgia-285/7th

2024-Brody Neill-106/7th

2023-Brandon Dean-144/6th

2022-Marisa Di Paolo-185/4th

2021-Marisa Di Paolo-215/3rd

2020-Colin Loughney-170/8th

2019-Justin LeMay-152/7th

2018-Marco Gaita-170/5th

2017-Shane Metzler-126/7th

2016-Shane Metzler-120/5th

2015-Shane Metzler-106/4th

2013-Nick Matthews-138/6th

2006-Dillon Landi-171/4th

1993-Brian Maguire-140/4th

1990-Bruce Wacha-171/7th-8th

1987-Chris Pierson-136/7th-8th

1986-Ed Similia-123/8th

1982-Dave Pinder-170/4th

1979-Mickey Mottola-188/8th

1974-Tom Rowlands-141/4th

1974-Auggie Kennaugh-115/4th

1972-Greg Cholish-115/2nd

1971-Greg Cholish-106/8th

1966-Robert Lyons-130/4th

1961-Tom Walsh-Hwt/4th

And here’s a cheat sheet on tournament and playoff structure for the season:

Districts? Goles? Sections? AC? Oh My! A Guide to WMC Wrestling's Road to Glory

Here’s our cheat sheet on Rankings.

In His Own Words: Complete Tommy Borgia Interview Transcript

Tommy Borgia’s high school career didn't end with a gold medal, but it ended with something far more enduring: a display of perspective and grace that is remarkably rare for an 18 year-old. After a grueling run at the state tournament—including a heartbreakingly close semifinal and a "full circle" finale against his dear friend—Tommy took the time to reflect on the 14-year journey that brought him to the podium in Atlantic City.

His words offer lessons in resilience, gratitude, and the true meaning of a "legacy." For Tommy, the wrestling mat was never just about the wins or the national rankings; it was a platform to build character, honor his family, and serve a higher purpose.

It’s a pleasure to share Tommy’s full, unedited statement on his career, his family, and the lessons he’s taking with him as he leaves the WMC wrestling room for the last time.

Hey David,

That match with Vinciguerra is obviously a stinger. Losing in the state semis in such a close match is always a tough thing to deal with. However, I knew going into the match that no matter what the outcome was in the end, I was going to give him 6 min of (for a lack of better words) “hell,” and the hardest match he has had so far this year, which I feel like I did. He is a top 10 nationally ranked kid, I am in the top 20, and everyone knew it would be a great match.

Unfortunately, he came out on top, but that’s just the way life goes sometimes. When you get knocked down, you've got no choice but to get back up and battle.

Wrestling Jared in the 3/4 match could not have been more ironic. Jared has been one of my best friends for the past 10 years and we have literally grown up together. The fact that I had the opportunity to end my wrestling career on the mat with one of my best friends could not be a more full circle moment. We got to go out there in front of a full crowd, battle, and have fun for the last 6 min of my wrestling career. I’m looking forward to seeing him do big things next year as a senior, and I’m excited that I can be in his corner supporting him the whole time compared to being his competitor.

My career at WMC has been nothing short of perfect for me. I could have gone to a private school and been around a bunch of strangers. But I decided to stay home with my friends and family, and compete in front of the most influential people in my life for the last 4 years.

I would like to thank my friends for always keeping me in good spirits and happy. I want to thank my girlfriend and her family for always traveling to watch me wrestle, and being there for me in all my endeavors.

To Coach Marold, Coach Nick, Coach Montuore Jr. and Sr.: they have been there for me every step of the way. Their motivational words and wisdom were some of the only reasons I was able to keep going during the long practices and rough days; they have quite literally become family.

To my brother: being my drilling partner for the last year has been one of the reasons I got to where I am right now. We are twins, we do everything together, and the fact that we were able to end it together at the boardwalk in one last run together was amazing. He truly had one of the most historic runs in WMC wrestling history to get to the state tournament, and I’m unbelievably proud of him.

To my mom: she has truly been through it over the past 14 years. Seeing her kids go out there and quite literally get beaten up is probably one of the hardest things for a mother to do. But she has absolutely adapted to a wrestling mom. She literally does everything for me and my brother; without her I would be lost. From driving me to late night practices at Iron Horse and making me food after late night practices, to helping me through injuries, I could not thank her more for everything she did for me.

The sacrifices both my parents have made to get me to where I am today is the only reason I am sitting at 3rd on that podium.

My dad: coaching me over the last 14 years has definitely not been the easiest for us, but it was certainly worth it. We have butted heads as all coaches and sons do, but looking back on it, he is the only reason I am the man I am today. He got me into a wrestling stance the first day I could walk, and this sport is something that me, my brother, and my dad were able to bond over, going to college matches, NCAAs, etc.

My dad has brought me all over the country to find the best competition possible. He spent countless hours driving and flying to tournaments, dollars on hotel rooms and food, and hours sitting in lines waiting to watch me, and through it all he was always supportive. Although he made me into a great wrestler, he also taught me how to be the man I am, and I am forever grateful for that. I love you mom and dad.

And I finally want to thank God for everything he has done in my life; without him I would be nowhere.

To my teammates that are going to be competing down at AC next year, you need to realize that it is nothing different than competing under the spotlight of the gym in West Morris. Sure there are more eyes, more crowd noise, more nerves. But at the end of the day the work is done. Once you define your “why” (why you are truly here, and your true goal), then you can be fearless and just go out there to be the best version of yourself. It only took me about 18 years to learn that, but once you are able to truly surrender the results, then you are able to be the best version of yourself. Don’t let the lights be too bright.

My legacy at West Morris is definitely cool, and I am proud of all the hard work and dedication I put in to get there. However, I could genuinely care less about what people’s opinions are on Tommy Borgia “the athlete.” I want to be remembered as someone who is kind, respectful, made an impact on people's lives in a positive way, always able to bring light to the dark world that we all live in, and above all someone who serves the Lord and makes others a better version of themselves.

The wins and losses never mattered to me, the championship brackets never mattered to me, the college attention never mattered. My only goal was to make a positive impact on the life of each and every person that I encountered throughout this amazing sport. And I feel like I can confidently say I always did my best to do that.

And David, thank you for your hard work for the past 4 years. Reading your articles is always such a pleasure for me and the rest of the guys. Always spreading kindness and confidence to all the wrestlers, thank you for that. See you soon.

--Tommy

Next Up

The West Morris Central wrestling family, led by Parents Club President Tiffany Neill and coach Marold, will celebrate its season and distribute awards, and high school’s most prestigious letter, on March 22.

The 2026-27 season will start in December.

About David Yaskulka

To avoid concession duty when his sons Noah and Ben joined WMC in 2012, David revived his sportswriter dream, and still covers the Pack. He’s a sustainability advocate and pet industry executive, having served as CEO of Nature’s Logic, SVP of Mid America Pet Food, and Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition and Greater Good Charities. He currently advises Love, Nala cat food, Archway Pet Food, and rePurpose Global plastic action platform.

He invites all WMC wrestlers and their families to connect with him (and with each other!) on LinkedIn.