Metzler 3-peats on podium, Loughney and Gaita top-12 at State Championship

(Atlantic City, NJ 3/5/17) “Winning takes talent,” said coaching legend John Wooden. “To repeat takes character.”

Shane Metzler concluded arguably the most dominant career in West Morris Central history with a “3-peat” NJSIAA championship podium ascent, placing seventh. His co-captains Kade Loughney and Marco Gaita finished top-12, making history of their own, as did teammate Justin LeMay, competing in Atlantic City this weekend.

WMC’s largest State Championship contingency in half a century amassed nine wins toward the trio of top-12 finishes. No other local wrestlers reached top-12 – though Hackettstown had two wins, and top-20 team Mendham had one (Mt. Olive had none).

“It was exceptional that Shane, Justin, Kade, and Marco could represent our school and program at Boardwalk Hall,” said Coach Ken Rossi. “The team worked incredibly hard this year and these four individuals’ participation at States represents their hard-work and their teammates’ hard-work.”

Shane Metzler

Metzler (39-5, 126) will begin Rutgers as the Wolfpack career leader in wins (144), team points, and net team points, and tied for the most County championships, Region Championships, and State medals. He led the team to its only Sectional championship appearances.

“Winning a medal at States is incredibly difficult and Shane was able to win three during his brilliant career,” reflected Rossi. He has placed fourth, fifth, and seventh.

This year Metzler became the second repeat Morris County champion, with Jesse Windt. No WMC wrestler has placed higher in States since Mike Mulrooney in 1991. Metzler and Greg Cholish are WMC’s only repeat Region champs.

Metzler’s final Boardwalk Hall performance began by topping Sebastian Cornejo (28-12) 9-3, and Ryan Manahan (36-4) 8-5.

Metzler showed rare emotion when his ultimate goal of a state championship was derailed 5-4 by NJ #8 ranked Kyle Slendorn (42-2), who placed second. The usually business-like Metzler fell to the mat, and then rose to embrace a glassy-eyed Rossi.

“Shane overcame a tough loss in the quarterfinals and got himself back on the podium,” said Rossi.

Metzler bested NJ #4 ranked Anthony Clarizio (37-5), then fell to Carmen Ferrante (34-10), who finished third.

Metzler fittingly won his last high school match 10-7 over Cody Harrison (26-8) for seventh, joining Cholish (1971-73) as the WMC’s only three-time State medalists.

Kade Loughney

Loughney concludes one of the outstanding careers in school history. His 112 wins are third, behind only Metzler and Nick Matthews (131). Loughney’s been a big-time winner for the team since day one, going 21-8 as a freshman, then 25-9, 28-10, and finally 38-10 as senior captain. He’s a District champion, and John Goles champion.

Loughney pinned Kasey Hotz (25-12) in his first States match. Stephan Glasgow (36-1), the now two-time champion who joins Metzler at Rutgers, then pinned Loughney.

Loughney shined in wrestle backs, beating Region 1 champ Gabriel Robles (27-5) 9-2, and then upsetting NJ #7 ranked Region 4 champ TJ Calas (35-3) 9-4 for his final career victory.

“Kade saved the best wrestling of his career for the post-season tournaments this year,” said Rossi.

This season Loughney took Regions bronze; Districts, Counties and X-Calibur silver; and Goles gold. His dramatic 100th career victory in overtime lifted WMC into the Sectional championships.

Marco Gaita

Junior captain Gaita (41-4, 170) concludes one of WMC’s best-ever seasons with 41 wins, second most ever (Matthews 42 in 2013). He won the District 11 and Region 3 championships. He rocketed to 12th in career wins with 86, and is on pace to finish in the top-three.

At States, “Marco showed incredible grit and determination trying to compete on an extremely sprained ankle,” said Rossi.

Prior, Gaita shined in Atlantic City, defeating NJ #12 ranked Jacob Cardenas (30-10) 4-1, then ninth-seeded Nicholas Caracappa (35-6) by 6-4 to advance.

It turned out Gaita’s ankle was broken in a 10-3 loss to NJ #1 ranked Dominick Mandarino (24-2). The hobbled Gaita was then pinned in wrestle backs by sensation Jacquan McPherson (29-9) – the Region 8 fourth-placer who led the tournament in pins to place eighth.

“I believe Marco can place in the top four next year,” said Rossi.

Justin LeMay

LeMay (30-14, 145) registered one of the best second seasons in WMC history as the second sophomore in memory to reach States (Metzler). He medaled in every tournament this season.

“Justin gained outstanding experience and demonstrated unbelievable growth,” said Rossi. “He went from being knocked out of the districts in the first round to a state qualifier in one year's time.”

LeMay drew a tough opening bout, getting pinned by NJ #2 ranked Cole Corrigan (35-2). Then LeMay nearly avenged his 5-3 Regions loss to Aaron Dunn (31-7), but fell in overtime.

“Next year I will definitely be on the podium,” said LeMay.

“With his commitment, I believe he can make the jump get to the podium next season,” Rossi concurred.

Final Words (for high school wrestling)

"I didn't get the championship I wanted however I finished a successful career and gained a Wolfpack family that I will know forever," said Metzler. "I'm elated to have broken records this year because it will further
drive the youth wrestlers to live up to an even higher expectation of hopefully breaking my records. I'm also proud to have competed alongside three of my teammates at states who performed exceptionally well. This
was a season for the books!"

Photo Credits

Mollissa LeMay, JoAnn Vazquez and Tom Borgia.

Note: updated from an earlier version with "Final Words" from Shane Metzler, and a photo credit for Tom Borgia.