Five Golden Rings For WMC at Goles Holiday Wrestling Tournament

LONG VALLEY, N.J. - Five – count ‘em – five WMC wrestlers took home gold medals at Monday’s John Goles Holiday tournament at Warren Hills High School. Alex Kaltenhauser (HWT), Caleb Isemann (160), Marco Gaita (152), Kade Loughney (138) and Shane Metzler (120) were champions. Michael Caso (113) took bronze, and Christian Trimarchi (145) fourth.

Pope John, which also crowned five champions, won the team tournament with 218 points. WMC Coach Ken Rossi’s team took bronze with 155, despite starting just 11 of 14 weight classes. Home team Warren Hills (186) took silver as Del Val placed fourth, followed by North Hunterdon, Edison, Newton, Scotch Plains, Milburn and Plainfield.

“Big Kalt” Kaltenhauser won the day’s ultimate match, topping Newton’s second-seeded regional qualifier Tyler Pittenger 3-2 for the championship. Pittenger took gold at the Marauder Invitational just last week. Kaltenhauser’s victory gave WMC the bronze medal, and gave Big Kalt his first-ever varsity medal. Prior, Kalt defeated top-seeded regional qualifier Charles Tordik of North Hunterdon in the semifinals, winning in ultimate tie breaker overtime.

Isemann (9-2) took gold with gusto, leaving no bout in doubt, and scoring more points than any other wrestler. WMC’s senior co-captain dominated Millburn’s 2nd-seeded regional qualifier Roger Serruto 14-2 in the finals. Isemann won the quarterfinals by pin and semifinals 12-1. Last year, he took bronze at this event.

Gaita (7-2) was dominant as well, winning the semi-finals 13-2 and the finals 6-0. It’s his first gold medal, and more proof he’s dangerous at 152 – up four weight classes from last season. Gaita and his cousin Isemann are proving a powerful 1-2 punch in the middle of WMC’s lineup.

Loughney (6-4) won a thrilling championship match over Warren Hills’ dangerous junior Zack Nauta in sudden victory overtime, 5-3. Last year the WMC junior lost a controversial heart breaker in the finals, settling for silver. Despite going up four weight classes, this year Loughney gained his Goles gold.

Metzler (7-0) was one of four returning Goles champions, and the only returning state medalist (according to Open Mike writer Mike Weilmann). But that didn’t mean the day would be easy for the team co-captain. After pinning his way to the finals, Metzler faced fellow state qualifier Jake Rotunda from Pope John. Metzler prevailed 7-3 for gold, staying undefeated on the young season.

Caso (3-4) won a thrilling consolation final overtime match for his first-ever varsity medal. Trimarchi (2-5) wrestled back to the consolation final for his first-ever varsity tournament place. Both his losses were to Del Val regional qualifier Rhys Zigich, who took bronze.

Justin LeMay (4-5) won two bouts at 132, topping Warren Hills sophomore Pedro Cruz twice to finish in 5/6th place. His losses were to the eventual silver and bronze medalists. Robert Rosen (170, 2-4) contributed a dramatic overtime win for the Pack, finishing in 5th/6th.

At 106, Billy Apostolico started for the Pack as former youth Wolfpack wrestler Christian Deehan took gold for Pope John. Jonathan Vazquez started at 126. WMC had no entrees at 182, 195 or 220.

Goles History

“This tournament, started in 1958 by [Washington and Warren Hills coach] John Goles, is the second oldest holiday tournament in New Jersey,” according to the event web site.

Last year, WMC placed second, with Metzler and WMC’s all-time team points leader Dylan Luciano gaining gold. In 2013, WMC legend Jesse Windt gained gold for the Pack, with Metzler bringing back bronze. At 2012 Goles, all-time-greats Nick Matthews and John Sickles won gold as then-freshman Isemann won his first varsity match.

Phillipsburg 60, WMC 8
Gaita and Metzler provided the highlights as the Pack descended on “The Pitt” on 12/22. NJ’s 3rd-ranked and defending state champion Stateliners lived up to the hype, dominating 60-8.

Gaita wrestled the most exciting match of the night, topping Chris Ruiz in sudden victory overtime, 3-1. Metzler defeated District 1 finalist Tom Kosar by tech fall 17-2. Vazquez made his varsity debut at 126, wrestling tough in a 6-3 loss.

Next up

The Roxbury JV Tournament is 12/30. WMC’s first home match is 12/31 at 11 AM (9:30 AM JV) vs. Voorhees.

Photo
Credit: Jeff Metzler
Kaltenhauser, Isemann, Gaita, Loughney and Metzler