It’s LeMay’s Century as Wolfpack Wrestling Finishes 12-7

By David Yaskulka

“It’s almost ineffable the way wrestling teaches you how to work hard,” marveled West Morris Central wrestling’s newest Century Club member Justin LeMay. Upon winning his 100th career match Saturday vs. Middlesex, he found the words to describe his sport: “It just gives you a one-up in life.”

As steel sharpens steel, LeMay credited “drilling with [Shane] Metzler freshman year -- he got me so much better. I drilled with Kade Loughney sophomore year. He showed me a lot of funk, and new positions. Now [John] DeVito and I drill hard every day.”

LeMay also credited “the best coaching staff in the state… each one of them has helped me so much” and “my whole family supporting me at every match...especially my little sister for keeping my head on straight and doing whatever she can to help the team.”

As LeMay pinned his opponent, the WMC crowd rose and cheered. The match was interrupted as Jeff Hill announced the achievement. The senior was surrounded by his parents Mike and Mollissa, sister Jordyn, and coach Ken Rossi.

Lemay will be enshrined on the WMC gymnasium wall along with Century Club members Metzler (144 wins), Nick Matthews (131), Marco Gaita (124), Loughney (112), Dylan Luciano (111), Brandon Carcuffe (110), David Migliaccio (107) and John Sickles (105).

LeMay, DeVito and fellow senior captains Luke Stefanelli and A.J. Hill led the Wolfpack to 12-7 by going 3-1 this week.

Chisari, Loughney and Bohr Lead WMC Over Middlesex 66-9

Colin Loughney took down Middlesex’s top wrestler, no. 28 (RankWrestlers.com) Troy O’Connor in overtime. O’Connor was 26-2.

Nick Chisari won the biggest bout of his young career, upsetting a 15 win wrestler with a first period pin.

“I went for his legs, he ended up on his hip, and I went right for his head to see if I could pin him,” said the sophomore, after doing just that. “It shows the coaches that I can go out there and compete.”

What was he thinking when, after holding a headlock for what seemed like 10 minutes, he heard the ref slap the mat for his signature win?

“Yeah, I was like, thank God because I was running out of energy.”

Junior Robert Bohr shut out a top-75 grappler 6-0.

LeMay was happy to see teammates Dan Kern, Matt Borgia and Hill join this historic pinfall party, each decking his opponent.

Loughney and Hill Lead Pack Over Woodbridge in Season Finale, 70-12

Once again, Loughney bested the opponent’s top wrestler, this time by pin. The junior brings momentum to Districts, winning six in a row -- the last three against wrestlers ranked no. 29, 36 and 59.

Hill upset the no. 66 wrestler in the state, decking 22-7 Yusef Elbayar, and concluding his dual meet career with the biggest win of his season.

DeVito majored a top-75 competitor, Bohr and Dan Kern both pinned 15-win wrestlers, Michael Ferrante pinned a top-100 grappler, as Eli Shepard and Jack Lyden delivered pins to lead the Pack to a runaway victory.

West Essex Tops WMC and Mendham for Section Title, Despite DeVito and Loughney

West Essex hasn’t lost since the Jones brothers, both both state qualifiers, transferred in this month, landing a State Championship Sunday. They topped WMC 32-28 in the section semifinals on 2/6, then Mendham 36-27 in the finals 2/8.

WMC’s heartbreaking loss ended its postseason aspirations, despite some big matches. DeVito topped Alex Jones 5-4. Loughney bested a 39th ranked 27-win senior, and Ferrante edged a 19-win top-100 wrestler. Borgia was valiant in a losing effort, denying Darren Jones bonus points.

LeMay delivered a pin, Hill a major, and Stefanelli a victory for the Pack.

Ramos and Montenegro Set Tone, as Borgia, Loughney, Hill and DeVito set Bogota Shoulders to the Mat

WMC's post-season started on 2/4 as Jorge Montenegro delivered a one-minute pin against a 17-win senior.

Then Kevin Ramos upset Bogota's second-highest ranked wrestler, setting the tone for WMC's dominant 66-12 Sectional quarterfinal victory.

Borgia, Loughney, Hill and DeVito helped everyone get home early with quick pins -- Borgia's in a scintillating 25 seconds.

Eli Shepard topped an 18-win senior in the night's most competitive match, 11-9.

Campanaro Wins Grade School Championship

Eighth grader Michael Campanaro became just the third Long Valley wrestler to win the NJ Grade School Wrestling League Championship this week, pinning his finals opponent in the first period. That bodes for a bright Wolfpack wrestling future.

Matt Liberato was the first to win for Long Valley. He had an outstanding freshman year for WMC before becoming a two-time state qualifier for Hanover Park. He competes for West Virginia University.

LeMay was the next champ, going on to become one of the best in WMC history, reaching 100 wins this week. The Maryland recruit is a favorite to reach Atlantic City for the third time.

Campanaro was joined on the NJGSWL podium by Long Valley teammates Sam Rizzuto with silver; Henry Frayne won bronze; Michael Hare took 4th, and Dean Muttart 5th -- the makings of a strong incoming class. Among current WMC starters, freshmen Ferrante and Shepard took NJGSWL 6th, and have been rock solid for the Pack. Region qualifier Loughney placed 3rd, and state qualifier Bohr 6th.

Next Up: Districts

District 12 Championships will be Saturday 2/16 at Becton. Based on RankWrestlers.com rankings (which is different from seeding), five WMC wrestlers are favored for gold: Malachi Shepard, Eli Shepard, Loughney, LeMay and Stefanelli; and four more are top-3: DeVito (2nd), Bohr, Lyden and Montenegro. Every starter is within striking distance of the top-3 finish needed to advance to Regions. With a strong lineup up and down, WMC could make District 12 finals feel like a Wolfpack dual.

LeMay’s prediction? “I think we can get the whole team, 14 guys to Regions, and six or seven guys to States.”

Photo Credits

Susan Hill, Mollissa LeMay, Margaret Stefanelli and JoAnn Vazquez