Controversial heartbreaker ends WMC wrestling season at 15-3

West Morris Central’s dominant dual meet season came to a heartbreaking end as Roxbury defeated the Wolfpack 39-19, helped by a disputed disqualification call. A sell out WMC crowd booed as Roxbury took advantage of the call to win the section championship Friday night.

Trailing 24-19, WMC was favored in the three final bouts, especially senior Mike Caso (25-6, #19 in NJ by RankWresters.com), who had pinned his opponent, Thomas Conselyea (7-15, #240) in 54 seconds last they met.

Caso came out aggressively, but was called for an illegal move as he slammed Conselyea to the mat. NJ.com and numerous fans reported that Conselyea appeared ready to resume before his coach came out, sending for the trainer. The Roxbury freshman was deemed unable to continue, by rule giving six points – and likely, the championship -- to the Gaels with the 12-point swing.

Both teams wrestled well. Jonathan Vazquez returned from injury to start the match with a win, despite being slammed to the mat without penalty, coloring the later controversial penalty.

Facing Roxbury’s top wrestlers, A.J. Hill denied bonus points to Dominick LaRusso; Justin LeMay avenged his previous loss to Evan Vazquez 4-3; and Marco Gaita dropped to 160 to top Michael Roumes.

John DeVito (major), Luke Stefanelli and Robert Rosen all had big wins for the ‘Pack, which finishes 15-3.

Eyeing Atlantic City

Based on RankWrestlers.com rankings (which are different from seeding), WMC could advance a record number of wrestlers from District 11 Saturday in Morristown.

While weights may change (and seeds are TBD), Colin Loughney (120 lbs.), LeMay (152), Gaita (170), Stefanelli (182) and Rosen (220) are top-ranked in their expected brackets. Robbie Bohr (106), Caso (113), Eli Shepard (126) and DeVito (160) are second-ranked, with Vazquez (126) ranked third.

At fourth, Hill (145) is a near tossup with two ranked above him; Chris Parisi is a near tie for fourth; and even sixth ranked newcomer Kevin Ramos is almost a tossup with three above him.

Finals could look like a dual, as five weights rank Hanover Park and WMC 1-2, plus three have both schools top-four.

Boding well for the future, if Jack Lyden (160) substituted for DeVito, he’d be predicted to place, and if William Apostolico (113) or Nick Kaltenhauser (170) started, they’d be predicted fifth.

Bohr, LeMay, DeVito & Gaita Tackle Wayne Valley’s Best for 35-21 Win

WMC qualified for section finals Wednesday 2/7, winning eight of the first 11 bouts for a 35-21 victory. Wayne Hills brought six 21+ win wrestlers, but WMC outscored them 19-6. LeMay handled #38 Reid Colella 11-4; Bohr pinned #50 Hunter Davis; and DeVito (major) and Gaita (pin) brought bonus points against top Indians.

Parisi won 2-0 to start the semifinal. Lyden and Gaita’s back-to-back pins staked WMC to a 22-3 lead. Rosen (facing a top-100 wrestler) and Caso (by major) rounded out the scoring.

Stefanelli impressed, bumping up a weight class vs. the highest ranked wrestler competing, #3 Nick Trani, falling 5-2. Ramos also captivated the raucous home crowd, losing his second-ever match in overtime to a solid wrestler.

Ramos Pin, Caso Win Lead WMC over Old Tappan 51-15

In the Monday 2/5 section quarterfinals, Ramos pinned with just eight clock ticks remaining. It had been two years – almost to the day – since Alex Kaltenhauser gave WMC its last heavyweight pinfall.

“When I heard the ref blow the whistle and slap the mat, I was in disbelief,” reflected Ramos. “I couldn’t believe that I won my first true varsity match by pin. Hearing the crowd [give a standing ovation] was a wild experience.”

Caso nabbed the toughest win of the night, 5-1 over #36 ranked Antonio Abate.

Hill fell behind 9-2, but roared back within a point, and then decked his opponent with 28 seconds remaining to ignite a five-bout Wolfpack win streak.

Old Tappan bumped up their 24-3 sophomore Jack Bernik away from LeMay, but to no avail as DeVito prevailed 6-2.

Coach Ken Rossi said bonus points would determine who advances in the playoffs, and Rosen, Bohr, LeMay and Gaita joined Ramos and Hill in delivering them to the max.

Parisi won a key tossup match, as Shepard and Stefanelli also scored for the team.

As a newcomer, Ramos pinned his way to a WMC JV Tournament championship -- but this was his first varsity action. “The coaches wanted me to try out wrestling. I was nervous, but as I went to more and more practices, I started to enjoy it. So far, it has been an awesome, unforgettable experience. Not only have I gotten in better shape, I have also created bonds and friendships that I thought weren’t possible.

“I just want to try my best in practice to keep getting better and get more wins, just like on Monday night.” Sounds good to Wolfpack fans.

Next Up

NJSIAA District 11 Championships at Morristown Saturday 2/17. Top-3 placers advance to Region 3 Championships at West Orange Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 2/21-24. Top-four finishers advance to State Championships in Atlantic City, 3/2-4.

Photo Credits

Susan Hill, Mollissa LeMay, Margaret Stefanelli and JoAnn Vazquez.