Gaita Overcomes Injuries to Place 5th at State Championships

Wrestling with “intense pain throughout,” Marco Gaita said “there was no way I was gonna’ stop” in the last tournament of his historic high school career. Defeating one top wrestler after another, Gaita placed 5th at the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championship in Atlantic City Sunday.

Justin LeMay (152, 32-8), seeded 26th, made headlines by upsetting the number seven and 10 seeds, becoming the lowest seeded wrestler in quarterfinals. Mike Caso and John DeVito also won, and Robby Bohr competed.

“Marco has battled a variety of injuries all year but he remained focused and resilient,” said Coach Ken Rossi.

“I stepped on to the mat for my blood round match and decided to give all I had instead of wilting away with the excuse of injury,” said Gaita. That WB4 (fourth round of wrestle backs) is do-or-die for the podium. Gaita defeated Delbarton’s AJ Lonski (29-13), and then won again over seven-seed Brandon Green (39-7), both 5-3.

Gaita writhed in pain on the mat in WB6 against four-seed Nick Addison (42-4), but persevered, looking like a shell of himself. A voice from the scorer’s table was heard on the broadcast livestream, repeatedly saying, “He’s done. He’s done.” Addison won 7-0.

Yet Gaita somehow stepped to the mat for his final bout, facing five-seed Shane Reitsma (40-6). And somehow, Gaita triumphed 5-3 to take fifth.

“It feels great to end my career with a meaningful win,” he said. “Wrestling with my teammates was also a great pleasure.”

Gaita called fellow State qualifiers LeMay, Caso, DeVito and Bohr “some of the hardest working and best people I have ever known.”

LeMay Reaches Quarterfinals

After defeating Steven O’Campo (34-4) and Xavier Kelley (31-8), and losing to eventual silver medalist Brian Meyer (39-3), LeMay almost upset Gerald Jones (37-6) to reach the podium, but came one takedown shy.

“I have one more year to prove myself,” LeMay said. And with seven 152 lb. medalists and 17 qualifiers graduating, he’ll be a top pick for the podium.

LeMay’s already in WMC’s top-20 in career wins, and only the fourth repeat State qualifier in decades (Gaita 2017-18, Metzler 2015-17, Nick Matthews 2012-13). This season he was District 11 champion, took silver at Goles, bronze at Sam Cali and Morris County, placed 4th at Regions, and finished in the top-12 in the State.

Caso’s Career

Caso concludes his stellar wrestling career exactly where he dreamed – in storied Boardwalk Hall, the cathedral of New Jersey wrestling greats. In front of thousands, he defeated Hunterdon Central’s Colton Washleski 3-2 to enter WB2, then lost in overtime to the four-seed.

“Getting my hand raised in Boardwalk Hall was the greatest feeling in the world,” said Caso. “I achieved both my goals, making it to states and winning a match.

“The one thing I will take with me for the rest of my life is the will power to always reach my objective,” said the WMC senior.

Caso’s 86 career wins rank him 13th all-time at WMC – an especially extraordinary feat given he sat behind Metzler freshman year. Caso delivered dozens of critical dual meet wins for the Wolfpack over his career, most recently defeating #36 ranked Antonio Abate to lead the team to Sectional finals, and #11 Luke Hoerle to help defeat Westfield.

“Mike did not start wrestling when he was young like many of the competitors at the state tournament,” reflected Rossi. “His freshman year was his first full season. He was able to qualify for the states because of his ability and his commitment to improving. He has had a brilliant career. We are going to miss his enthusiasm and personality next season.”

Caso finishes his career as a John Goles champion, Sam Cali medalist (4th), XCalibur two-time medalist (5th), three-time Morris County medalist (5th, 3rd, and then 2nd), three-time District place winner (4th, 3rd, and then 2nd), and finally as a Regional bronze medalist and State qualifier.

“I want to say thank you to my wrestling family for giving me an amazing four years,” concluded Caso.

Gaita’s Career

Gaita’s career is among the very greatest in school history, third all-time with 124 wins, behind Shane Metzler (144) and Nick Matthews (131). He’s the school’s third two-time Region champion (four-time qualifier), two-time District champion, three-time John Goles champion, Morris County champion (three-time medalist). His 41 wins last season were second most in team history (Matthews, 42). Now, he’s one of only five WMC wrestlers to reach the podium in the last quarter century (Metzler three times, Matthews, Dillon Landi, Brian MacGuire).

Gaita’s given the team a litany of victories over state-ranked wrestlers in dual meets, and allowed Coach Rossi to “pencil in” wins against everyone else.

“Marco capped off a brilliant season and career at Boardwalk Hall,” said Rossi. “He has been an outstanding leader for the team the last two years as a captain.”

An honors student, Gaita plans to continue his academic and wrestling career at prestigious Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

DeVito and Bohr

“Being in Boardwalk Hall with my teammates and getting a win in that environment was an amazing experience,” said DeVito. He pinned Frank DeMaio (35-6) to reach WB2.

“I want to keep working hard in the practice room and try to reach the podium in Atlantic City.”

DeVito’s breakout season concludes with a 31-12 record at 160. He’s only the second Wolfpack wrestler in memory to follow a below-.500 season (14-19) with qualifying for the State Championship (Adam Kratch). He medaled at Sam Cali (5th), Goles (2nd), Morris County (3rd), Districts (2nd) and Regions (4th).

Bohr became just the third WMC sophomore in memory to make it to Boardwalk Hall (LeMay, Metzler). He followed his 21-win freshman year with a 27-12 record, and medals at XCalibur (5th), Morris County (5th), Districts (3rd) and Regions (4th).

Locals Representing

WMC led the local teams in States victories with nine. Hackettstown had seven, behind bronze medalist Alex Carida’s six and Joe Andes’ win. Mendham’s record six State qualifiers produced six wins, led by two from Dom DiGena, a great upset by Alex Winant, a pin from Gage Armijo, and wins from Tristan Navarino and Peter Tringali. Mt. Olive’s Anthony Spera won as well.

Closing Thoughts

Gaita’s final two seasons were the winningest in school history. Prior to this season, only 15 wrestlers in school history had 30-win seasons. Despite a short dual meet season, Caso, LeMay and DeVito also join that list.

Next season, LeMay, Bohr and DeVito will form the team’s largest-ever contingency of returning State qualifiers.

Rossi praised the WMC wrestling community in Boardwalk Hall, saying, “It is great to hear the crowd erupt when one of our wrestlers wins. The coaches and wrestlers want to thank everyone who supported us this year at dual meets and during the individual postseason.”

What’s Gaita’s parting advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps?

“All I can say is to work hard. The only way to get better is to grind, day in and day out.” No doubt, Gaita will take his own advice in the future.

Next Up

The team’s celebratory end of season banquet is Thursday March 8.

Photo Credits

Susan Hill. Also, throughout the season: Mollissa LeMay, Margaret Stefanelli and JoAnn Vazquez.