Coach Predicts “Fun Year” for Wolfpack Wrestling Fans in 2017-18

(Chester, NJ 12/12/17). “Each individual on this team can do damage if they stay healthy. It’s going to be a fun year,” predicts West Morris Central High School wrestling Coach Ken Rossi. The Wolfpack starts 2017-18 at the grueling Excalibur Tournament in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Saturday.

WMC was ranked top-25 by the NJ Wrestling Coaches Association after a record-tying 18 wins last season. They shocked the Keystone faithful, taking third of 28 teams at Excalibur 2016. Among WMC’s seven medalists were seniors Shane Metzler and Kade Loughney, the first and third winningest wrestlers in school history respectively, and Christian Trimarchi (26 wins last year).

Can the Pack be even more fun to watch, despite the losses to graduation?

Impact Veterans

“We have a bunch of experienced guys coming back and each one has improved tremendously,” noted Rossi. “This is a positive, hardworking, and committed bunch.”

Captain Marco Gaita took third at Excalibur 2016, and looks to improve on an epic season, going 41-4, winning Districts and Regions on the way to the State Championships in Atlantic City, where injuries derailed his podium bid. The senior hammer is ranked #5 in New Jersey at 170 lbs. (Wrestling Full Circle).

Taking fifth at Excalibur were junior Justin LeMay (30-14 last year, now at 152), senior Mike Caso (28-12, 113) and Robby Bohr (21-11, 106). LeMay, a State qualifier, is ranked #14 in NJ.

Sophomore Eli Shepard (14-16, 126) and senior Robert Rosen (21-14, 195) join Caso, Gaita and LeMay as returning Region qualifiers. Senior Jonathan Vazquez (17-14, 132) and junior Luke Stefanelli (18-18, 182) placed in Districts. Sophomores Bohr and Colin Loughney (13-7, 120) and junior John DeVito (14-19, 160) medaled in tournaments.

“Gaita and LeMay can stand on the podium in Atlantic City,” says Rossi. “Bohr, Caso, and Rosen have done the work to qualify. Don’t be surprised if they make a run. Loughney, Vazquez, DeVito, (AJ) Hill, Stefanelli, (Chris) Parisi, (Billy) Apostolico, and Shepard will be in the mix at Districts and Regions.

By the Numbers

Despite losing two legendary wrestlers, this team starts a more accomplished lineup overall.

The 2017-18 squad returns two State qualifiers (compared to just one for the 2016-17 squad); five Regional qualifiers (vs. three); seven District placers (vs. five); and 10 tournament medalists (vs. five). This year’s likely starters won 220 bouts the previous season, while the 2016-17 starters had won 169.

Reinforcements Coming

Surprisingly, no high-impact freshmen are coming from the youth program. But reinforcements include Loughney as a full-time starter, and junior AJ Hill, a freshman starter, returning from injury at 145.

JV standouts Matthew Borgia and Jayden Melicharek compete for 138. Returning lettermen Parisi (132) and Jack Lyden (170) vie for starts, along with Apostolico (113), Nicolas Kaltenhauser (170) and Adrian Hefner (195). Nich Chisari (106), Karan Bajaj (132), Tyler Torner and Sean Giles (both 145) are all in the mix according to Rossi.

Achilles’ Heel

Once again, the Pack’s Achilles’ heel is a dearth of heavyweights. Fans hope Rosen or Hefner can wrestle up to 220 (or even HWT) to reduce forfeits. Lyden or Kaltenhauser could also help Rossi bump the lineup.

Offseason Grind

Parent’s Club President Jeff Hill spearheaded an intense offseason program including the Penn State Camp, prestigious Virginia Duals and guest coach workouts – providing as many as 60 bouts per wrestler against top competition.

Gaita and Rosen had their hands raised at prestigious national tournaments, including JourneyMan (Gaita won OverFlo to qualify) and Super32. Rosen won matches at the Disney Duals and defeated an NHSCA All-American at JourneyMan.

“The wrestling experience was invaluable, but so too was the team environment,” said Hill. Wrestlers coached each other, and worked on areas they were striving to improve in. Eli and others entertained the team with the occasional flying squirrel attempt, re-energizing the guys after long drives and even longer days on the mat.”

According to Caso, “The best part of the off season was learning new moves and trying them in dual meets.”

For LeMay, offseason is about “keeping mind and body in shape for the season.”

DeVito credited “private lessons, lifting, and performing well at Penn State” (going 11-3) for setting his sights on Atlantic City.

For Parisi, “making weight and relentless practices are all worthwhile when I can contribute to the team.”

Vazquez said “The best part was spending time with the guys and preparing for our last hoorah as seniors. I’m looking forward to making this a season to remember.”

WMC wrestlers (from left) Luke Stefanelli, Michael Caso, Robert Rosen, Nich Chisari, Marco Gaita, AJ Hill, Jonathan Vazquez, Robert Bohr and Eli Shepard.

Next Up

12/16 Excalibur Tournament in Wilkes-Barre, PA; 12/19 home opener vs. Voorhees; 12/21 High Point @WMC, 12/27 Goles Tournament @ Warren Hills, 12/30 Kearney at WMC.

Credits

Reporting help from Steven Rosen.

Photos by JoAnn Vazquez.