6 Wolfpack Wrestlers Help Central Pin Voorhees 39-36

(Chester, NJ 12/31/15). The wrestling Wolfpack pinned perennial powerhouse Voorhees 39-36 on New Year’s Eve morning before a boisterous West Morris Central High School crowd. Six WMC wrestlers triumphed by fall – Kade Loughney, Christian Trimarchi, Michael Caso, Shane Metzler, Jonathan Vazquez, and in the match’s thrilling ultimate bout, Justin LeMay.

Every young wrestler dreams of his first signature victory, lifting the team from the jaws of defeat. One could argue Trimarchi, Caso, Vazquez and LeMay all delivered such triumphs against Voorhees.

“When the ref slapped the mat, I was really happy and proud of myself,” said Trimarchi, likely reflecting the whole group’s sentiment. “I knew it was going to be a close match and that I had helped the team.”

Loughney (7-4) and Trimarchi (3-5) set the tone, giving the Pack an early 12-0 lead despite facing fellow juniors against whom – on paper—they were closely matched. Loughney pinned Liam Cutri-French (4-4) while Trimarchi decked Benjamin Brandner (2-4).

The Vikings put out the tough Fernandes brothers next at 160-182. Michael, Lewis and Scott are a combined 19-3 on the season, even after Caleb Isemann’s (10-2) 8-4 victory over Lewis. Michael and Lewis Fernandez recently took gold, and Scott bronze at the Lenape Valley Tournament.

After WMC forfeits at 195 and 220, and victories from Voorhees’ district champ Derek Howarth (5-2) and Colby Koshinski (6-2), the Vikings led 30-15 with five bouts remaining. Voorhees state medalist Kyle DiNapoli loomed, so the Wolfpack could not lose any of the other four matches.

Fresh off his Goles tournament bronze medal, sophomore Caso (4-4) delivered a critical second period fall at 113. “I’ve been grinding it out throughout the off-season and it paid off today,” he said. “I was excited to put the six points on the board for my team and start the momentum.”

After Metzler (8-0) delivered his almost-expected pin at 120, sophomore Vazquez picked the perfect spot for his first-ever varsity win, decking junior Colton Riley with a minute to go to keep Wolfpack hopes alive.

In the final bout, freshman LeMay stepped to the mat with the team’s fate on his shoulders. Voorhees was up 36-33, and a loss would have the Vikings celebrating in front of the Wolfpack home opener crowd. LeMay was aggressive early, shooting, scoring and pushing the pace.

One minute and 12 seconds in, the WMC crowed jumped to its feet and roared as LeMay delivered the decisive, match-winning pin.

Coach Ken Rossi masterminded the matchups, bumping up wrestlers starting with Loughney “to keep Loughney on Cutri-French, have Marco Gaita (7-3) wrestle Michael Fernandes and move Isemann up to Lewis Fernandes. Winning the coin toss allowed us to make those moves as well as, moving LeMay away from DiNapoli for the win,” according to the coach.

Last year in Glen Gardner WMC prevailed in a similar nail-biter, topping Voorhees 31-30. While freshmen clashed in Thursday’s decisive bout, last season it was seniors, with WMC co-captain David Migliaccio prevailing.

After an impressive John Goles Tournament earlier in the week where five WMC grapplers gained gold, the Pack evened its record at 1-1 beating Voorhees.

“I am really proud of the wrestlers and coaches so far this season,” said Rossi. “Our plan was and is to work exceptionally hard to get in dominant shape, work to improve by focusing on technique, and wrestle tough competition all season to stay sharp for the sectionals and individual post season tournaments.”

JV wins 4 golds at Roxbury
The Pack had an extraordinary showing at the Roxbury JV Tournament on 12/30 with AJ Hill, Chris Parisi, Louis Mautone and John DeVito all winning championships. Jack Lyden won silver, Dan Kern and Jack Dunn brought home bronze medals, and John Melicharek took 4th. Hill, DeVito and Kern’s medals came in their first-ever high school tournament. In addition, Luke Stefanelli, Adrian Heffner and Zach Fuchs saw their hands raised at the event.

Next up
The Pack visits Par Hills Wednesday night 1/6 at 7pm, then the Mt. Olive Quad on Saturday 1/9. JV wrestles the Randolph JV Tournament 1/3, then hosts the WMC JV Tournament 1/10.