Loughney’s 100th, Metzler’s mark lead Wolfpack wrestlers to 18-6

(Chester, NJ 2/13/17) In an historic night, the Wolfpack outwrestled Roxbury to advance to the Sectional championship as Shane Metzler seized WMC’s all-time win record, and Kade Loughney attained his 100th win on 2/8.

It’s a night Metzler said they’ll always remember. “Kade and I have been friends since we were little, and grew up in the program together. Now we are finishing with a big statement: If you work hard anything is possible.”

Parents Club president Jeff Hill watched them grow when he ran the Long Valley Youth Wrestling program. “Witnessing the great days, the tough losses, the never-ending hard work, the injuries, the sicknesses, the weight cuts; it really puts it all into perspective,” he said. “Wrestling isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle, and it's terrific to see Shane and Kade’s commitment rewarded.”

WMC lost a heart breaker to Mendham in Friday’s finals, then beat Dover and Pompton Lakes Saturday to tie the school team wins record at 18.

Metzler’s mark

Metzler (30-1 at 126) topped Roxbury regional placer Scott Jarosz 9-4 for his 132nd career win, passing team legend Nick Matthews.

Metzler’s known Matthews since he began wrestling, saying “It’s been special to know the man who set the stage for the future of WMC wrestling… I couldn’t have done it without him and other members of the community.”

Matthews, a senior on NYU’s UAA champion wrestling team, was WMC’s first to 100. He congratulated Metzler and Loughney, saying their achievements “should fuel their confidence and work ethic and prove they’re ready to dominate in the regional and state tournaments.” He praised their trust in WMC’s coaches – to which Matthews attributes his own success.

Coach Ken Rossi praised Metzler’s dedication from a young age: “The coaches are looking forward to Shane capping off a brilliant career at the State Tournament.”

Loughney’s 100th

Loughney (29-6, 152) triumphed over Roxbury regional qualifier Michael Roumes for his 100th win. He joins Matthews, Brandon Carcuffe, John Sickles, Dylan Luciano, David Migliaccio and Metzler in the Century Club.

“Kade has shown what perseverance can do,” said Rossi, noting his career achievement took “hard-work, discipline, and a commitment to long term goals.”

Roxbury

“Every bout was wrestled with high intensity and our wrestlers had to dig in to secure the wins it would take to win the match,” said Rossi. “Roxbury has been a dominant force so it was especially satisfying to beat them.”

The Wolfpack triumphed 33-24, winning nine of 12 bouts wrestled.

With pins from Marco Gaita (33-2, 170) and Robby Bohr (21-10, 106), and victories from Luke Stefanelli (17-16, 182), Robert Rosen (19-12, 195) and Mike Caso (25-9, 113), WMC won the first five bouts wrestled.

But Roxbury rallied to tie the score with three bouts remaining.

Justin LeMay (25-9, 145) outlasted 21-6 junior Dominick LaRusso 4-3. History on the line, Loughney triumphed in overtime to reach 100 and give WMC an insurmountable 30-24 lead with tie-breakers in hand. Christian Trimarchi (23-12, 160) won to close out the match.

Since 1988, only this team, and the 2015 squad led by seniorsMigliaccio, Luciano, Mike Oros, Kevin Sears and Thomas Stoll, have reached the Sectional finals.

Mendham

Mendham achieved its first Sectional championship with a dramatic 29-27 victory over WMC. After falling 37-19 to Mendham last month, the Pack closed the gap on a pin from LeMay and swing bout victories from Trimarchi and Bohr.

But Mendham prevailed behind state-ranked hammers Troy Navarino and Dom DiGina.

Loughney, Gaita and Jonathan Vazquez (16-12, 132) also won for the Pack.

Rossi congratulated and conveyed deep respect for Mendham, thanking the WMC parents, administrators, faculty and students who bussed in for the match. “The crowd was a great inspiration to our guys.”

Though disappointed with the loss, Metzler said “every one of our guys steps on the mat with courage… I’m extremely proud to have been part of such a great team.”

“We are a resilient group and we will redouble our efforts for the individual post-season tournaments,” expressed Rossi with pride. “Our coaching staff is blessed and honored to coach a group of fine young men.”

Dover

Stefanelli pinned Dover’s top wrestler to lead WMC over an undermanned Dover squad, 69-12. Loughney, Rosen, Bohr, and Eli Shepard (12-14, 120) all pinned, and Chris Parisi (4-8, 120) added a 6-0 shutout.

Pompton Lakes

Facing Pompton’s three best wrestlers, WMC set the tone for the match taking a 16-6 lead after four bouts.

Metzler pinned 25-7 junior Justin Juchnewich in 34 seconds. John DeVito (14-18, 138) pinned in 12 seconds, then AJ Hill (2-2, 145), returning from injury, fell to his second state qualifier in two days. Loughney majored District 4 champ Sal Puglisi.

Trimarchi pinned a 20-win junior, followed by falls from Stefanelli, Gaita, Bohr and Caso. Shepard majored a 17-win junior, and WMC prevailed 50-30.

Next Up

The District 11 Tournament is Friday and Saturday at Morristown. Top-three medalists advance to Region 3 February 22-24 in West Orange. Top-four there advance to the State Championship March 3-5.

Photos

Credit: JoAnn Vazquez