Five Starters Return For New-Look Wolfpack Wrestling Team

Coach Ken Rossi will unveil a new-look wrestling team this season – a team in the considerable shadow of last year’s 17-4 top-25 ranked team – WMC’s best winning percentage since 1984. The 2015-16 season launches this weekend at the Excalibur Tournament in Wilkes, PA.

Returning starters

While last year’s Pack boasted eight Regional qualifiers – only Shane Metzler (38-3 record last year), Marco Gaita (17-18) and Caleb Isemann (30-11) return. They’re joined by returning starters Kade Loughney (25-9) and Alex Kaltenhauser (10-15).

“We will be relying on Metzler at 120 lbs. (weight class), Loughney 138, Gaita 152, Isemann 160, and Kaltenhauser 285 to lead the way,” said newly-inducted Regional Hall of Fame Coach Rossi. “They are all experienced guys that have shown great leadership. All five have dedicated themselves throughout the year to improve on the mat. Shane, Kade, and Marco have attended numerous regional and national competitions throughout the off-season.”

“The team looks good so far,” says Rossi.

The new look includes weight class changes. Metzler is moving up two weights from 106, where he placed fourth in New Jersey. Loughney took silver at the prestigious Goles Tournament at 113, and Gaita advanced impressively at Regions at 126. But both are moving up four weight classes, which is not easy.

New starters

“With only five returning starters [out of 14] we are going to need some wrestlers with less varsity experience to mature quickly,” said Rossi, “[including] Mike Caso (3-1) or Billy Apostolico at 106, AJ Hill or Chris Parisi at 113, Jonathan Vazquez or Jack Lyden at 126, Justin LeMay at 132, Robert Rosen at 170.” Vazquez was named the team’s Outstanding JV Wrestler last season.

“Christian Trimarchi (2-6) at 145 has been in and out of the line-up as a freshman and sophomore and should contribute in the middle. LeMay should be very competitive as a freshman. He is showing excellent potential and is making the necessary adjustments from youth wrestling to high school wrestling.”

Trimarchi is a two-time letter winner. LeMay is only the second Long Valley wrestler to win a Grade School League championship.

“Rosen was one of the most dedicated guys in the off-season getting many matches and extra club workouts,” according to Rossi. And “Caso is tenacious and aggressive and has excellent potential at 106.”

Returning varsity letter winners Mike Brown (0-6) and Jacob Rutter (5-3), along with freshman Scholastic State Championship place winner Luke Stefanelli, will compete in the mid-to-upper weights.

Captains

Rossi named Metzler, a junior, and senior classman Isemann captains. They’re the team’s hammers.

Isemann’s off-season was hampered by injury. The Pack’s only three-time letter winner would be a favorite to qualify for the State Championships in Atlantic City if healthy. He finished fourth in Region 1 last season; two of the three State qualifiers graduated.

“I came into this season with a chip on my shoulder that I haven’t felt in my four years here at WMC,” said Isemann. “Being one win away from the State tournament was discouraging yet helped me grow some healthy anger and enthusiasm for the everyday grind the season offers.

“I believe if I compete and focus at the level I’m capable of, I can get on the podium in Atlantic City. As captain, I came into this season with a different maturity and understanding of leading by example.”

Metzler was nationally ranked last season, and had another impressive off-season, taking silver at the prestigious JourneyMan Nationals, saying “I trained daily in the off season, never lost focus of my goals.”

Last year Metzler surged to national prominence by placing at the elite Super32 Tournament at 106, but didn’t place this year at 113. “After realizing part of my crummy performance was because I had cut nearly 20 pounds” he explained, “I decided to move up a weight class. I am extremely confident in my training and will accept nothing less than a state title this year.

“As a captain I hope to encourage the younger guys this year, and make sure they know this sport can be fun as well as grueling. I know the team will see improvement and I am excited to see the outcome of all our hard work,” said Metzler.

Starting lineup

Here’s the starting lineup for this weekend’s Excalibur Tournament:

• 106 Billy Apostolico
• 113 Michael Caso
• 120 Shane Metzler
• 126 Jack Lyden
• 132 Justin LeMay
• 138 Kade Loughney
• 145 Christian Trimarchi
• 152 Marco Gaita
• 160 Caleb Isemann
• 170 Robert Rosen
• 182 FF
• 195 FF
• 220 FF
• 285 Alex Kaltenhauser

Up next

After this weekend’s Excalibur Duals, WMC visits state champion Phillipsburg on 12/22 and wrestles at the Goles Tournament 12/28. The first home match is 12/31 vs. Voorhees.

Photos

By Margaret Stefanelli.

Team photo:

Kneeling l-r: Chris Parisi, Christian Trimarchi, Jack Lyden, Adrian Hefner, Austin Gast, John DeVito, Matt Blount, Luke Stefanelli
2nd row: Coach Jim Balella, Head Coach Ken Rossi, Will McCartney, Jonathan Vazquez, Karan Bajaj, Billy Apostolico, Shane Metzler, Mike Caso, AJ Hill, Justin LeMay, Coach John Barnett, Coach Jeremy Adickes
Back row: Jacob Rutter, Mike McSeveney, Marco Gaita, Louie Mautone, Alex Kaltenhauser, Caleb Isemann, Mike Brown, Kade Loughney, Coach Chris Marold.

Returning varsity letter winners:

l-r: Kaltenhauser, Trimarchi, Rutter, Isemann, Metzler, Loughney and Gaita