Grapplers Guided to “Believe, Let It Fly, and Have Fun”

By David Yaskulka

12/11/22

“Believe in my training, let it fly, and have fun” – that’s advice given to senior tri-captain Michael Campanaro prior to the 2022-23 West Morris Central Wolfpack wrestling season. “As hard as we can be on ourselves in this sport,” Campanaro continued, “it's important to have fun because that's the reason we all started wrestling.”

That powerful reflection comes from the Wolfpack warrior who gutted his way through Regions and the State Championships last season virtually on one arm. Campanaro had the other arm surgically repaired in the off season.

Head Coach Chris Marold, in his second year at the helm, thinks “this team can be very special.” Foregoing expectations management, Marold said “I expect us to win the Conference and I think we have a good chance to win our second Sectional title in school history.

“But we are still thin as far as depth, so a few illnesses or injuries can derail us. But if we are able to stay healthy I expect big things this season.”

The Wolfpack is led by three senior captains: Campanaro, his fellow returning State Championship competitor Henry Frayne, and Michael Hare, who RankWrestlers.com predicts will join them at the Atlantic City Championship. Their pre-season rankings are 13th, 12th and 20th respectively (out of 300+ ranked competitors in each weight).

Captains Bullish on the Season

They echo Marold’s optimism.

“Last year was a stepping stone,” reflected Hare, who was 25-10 last season. “We’re looking to improve, and I think this team can do big things.” Marold took the team to 10-14 in his rookie season, which came on the heels of a winless 2020-21.

“I feel we can beat any team we wrestle this year,” said Campanaro. “We should have a full line up – which hasn't been the case for the past two years.”

Frayne, fresh off a stellar All-County football season, agreed: “So as long as we work hard in the room, we will have a very good chance to compete for championships.”

Wrestle-offs were not completed at press time, so this is an early look at the lineup.

Lower Weights

Sophomore Mark Montuore returns at 106, after one of the best Wolfpack rookie seasons ever, going 26-14. Hare identified Montuore as a breakout star candidate, saying “he put in the offseason work and he's going to surprise a lot of people.”

Montuore was the District bronze medalist, and placed fourth in both X-Calibur and Counties. In fact, he and Brandon Dean nabbed the highest County places for freshmen in memory.

Jacob Fahmi slots in at 113, one of two or three freshmen predicted to start immediately.

Marold, Frayne and Campanaro all cited Hare as a breakout candidate at 120, after his outstanding 25-10 junior season, including 14 pins, District bronze, County fifth, and sixth at X-Calibur.

“Hare has impressed me the most this off-season,” said Campanaro. “He’s getting stronger and practicing hard. Not getting to the state tournament stung, and he's been working hard to get there this year.”

Frayne agreed, saying of Hare, “teams should watch out for what he can do. He’s earned the role of captain, and we expect him to be one of our heavy hitters.”

Junior Vincent Caruso slots in at 126. He held his own in limited varsity action, and dominated JV.

Two-time team MVP Award winner and District and Region champ Campanaro bumps up to 132. The three-time State qualifier was 32-9. His goal is “being on the top of the podium down in AC” – which team observers will agree is possible.

Mid Weights

Senior Dean Muttart gets the start at 138 after a strong season – 21-12, District Silver, placed at Counties and Regions– despite bumping up two weight classes to help the team.

“Muttart and Hare are two wrestlers that I expect to surprise people,” said Marold. “Both have a ton of ability and have had issues with injuries and not wrestling at their ideal weight. This season both are at the weight they want and will finally be able to show everyone what they can do.”

Brandon Dean bumps to 144 after an historic freshman performance, leading the team in wins, pins, points, and net points. He was District champ, an X-Calibur finalist, won County bronze, and was fourth in the Region. At #3 in the state, he’s the team’s highest ranked wrestler.

Junior Sam Rizzuto at 150 was Marold’s Swiss army knife. His 17-3 record led the team in winning percentage. Perhaps the best reserve in memory, Rizzuto has his chance this year.

Brendan McBride and Henry DeFrance vie for 157. Both juniors have significant valuable varsity experience.

Upper Weights

DeFrance and freshman Michael Borgia are top options at 165.

Borgia is also a possibility at 175, along with senior Neil Lertola and Jeevan Sathisha.

At 190, juniors Luke Barisonek and Cooper Stetz both saw varsity action last season.

Perhaps the most heralded youth wrestler to join the Wolfpack, three-time youth state champion Tommy Borgia, slots in at 215. Freshmen rarely do well at this weight, but the same can be said of his starting role on the Pack’s state champion football team. Borgia was named All-Division and All-County, starting both ways.

Frayne, who fought on the gridiron alongside Borgia, said the freshman will surprise people this season. Marold said “he has a chance to be wrestling in Atlantic City this season.” Tommy and twin brother Michael are Coach Tom Borgia’s sons and could be the team’s first twin starters since Noah and Ben Yaskulka in 2013.

Frayne returns to heavyweight (285) where he was 30-11, District Champion, fifth at X-Calibur, fourth in Counties, Region silver medalist, and the team’s only first-team All-Conference honoree.

“Being a senior captain on a great team can sometimes make you look forward to the postseason,” explains Frayne. “So the best advice the coaches give us is don’t look ahead. We can only get to those places if we accomplish what we need to do now.”

That includes what Hare says is “working harder than anyone so our conditioning is some of the best out there” – and bringing it to the mat at X-Calibur this weekend.

Next Up

This weekend (12/17-18) the team will start the season at the grueling X-Calibur Tournament in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, where then-freshmen Dean and Montuore had breakout performances. On 12/23 the Wolfpack will face Lenape Valley, Hanover Park and home team Randolph. The 12/27 John Goles Tournament at Warren Hills and the team’s home opener 12/30 vs. High Point will close out the 2022 schedule before visiting Hackettstown 1/3/23.

About David Yaskulka

David began living his sportswriter dream to avoid concession duty when his sons Noah and Ben began wrestling for the Wolfpack in 2012. His day job is Senior Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility for Mid America Pet Food, whose family of brands is led by VICTOR and Nature’s Logic. He also serves as Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, and as Board Director at Greater Good Charities.