Neill’s Rapid 100th Win Paces Pack to 14-7 with Playoffs Looming

2/8/26

By David Yaskulka
Photos from Jen Sheppard, Sheryl Reed and Phil Cabarle

Special thanks to team statisticians Adriana Georgiev, Alexa Moscotello, Kaylee Viera and Tilly Vazquez

“I went out there hoping I would get the win, tried my best, and did my thing,” said West Morris Central wrestling junior state medalist Brody Neill. In front of a raucous home crowd ready to jump to its feet, Neill’s thing was nabbing a 100th career victory – becoming the fastest centurion in school history.

It was a week full of celebrations for the Pack, including a Senior Night victory over Hanover Park Feb. 3, a division win over Morris Hills Feb. 4, avenging last season’s playoff loss to Governor Livingston, and finally a loss to #26 ranked Old Bridge (Full Circle Wrestling), both on Feb. 7.

The Pack is now 14-7 and in first place by power points in North Jersey Group 2, Section 2, which would mean a #1 playoff seed and three home matches for the championship.

“I feel good about the playoffs,” said Marold. “Caldwell [the reigning champion and current two-seed] is going to be tough. And we need to get there first, obviously.” Based on current standings, WMC would need to win twice to face Caldwell for the crown.

Cabarle, J. Harrison, T. Borgia Lead the Way

WMC showed off its depth this week, as an extraordinary 17 wrestlers contributed wins. Jonathan Cabarle (150, 16-6), Jacob Harrison (144, 24-8) –his 13th straight– , and Tommy Borgia (285, 28-1) each went 4-0 to pace the Pack. Deacon Frayne (215, 26-5) and Lucas Harrison (126, 17-12) each won three. Ryan Tie (106, 18-13), Van Muttart (6-10 but 2-0 at 113), Mason Vazquez (132, 11-13), Neill (138, 26-3), Kurt Beyer (165, 17-14), and Rob Fazzino (175, 20-10) won two each; and John Garcia (157, 14-17) and Alex Dymnicki (190, 9-14) one.

Importantly, five guys stepped to the mat just once, with Jacob Reed (120, 5-13 returning from injury), Grant Baker (150, 3-8), Hayden Hurst (165, 4-5) and Michael Borgia (4-1, descending to 215) delivering wins.

Neill Mach 100

Appropriately for the prolific pinner, Neill’s rapid pace to 100 culminated with a rapid 45 second pinfall, against Old Bridge freshman Lucas Ruiz.

“A hundred wins is still a huge milestone,” said WMC Coach Chris Marold, alluding to the fact that with more matches, it’s less rare than in the past. “To get it as a junior is awesome.” In fact, while he’s the 12th WMC wrestler to reach the century mark, Neill’s only the third to do so as a junior, and the first ever to reach 100 before playoffs junior year.

What makes Neill special?

“He’s very athletic, a strong kid, and explosive. That’s a good recipe for success,” said Marold.

What would Neill tell a Long Valley Youth program wrestler who wants to get 100 wins in high school?

“I’d say just keep practicing. Go to wrestling clubs like I did when I was young, just keep working at it. Do your thing.”

Neill couldn’t think of a favorite win (other than the next one), but didn’t hesitate when asked who helped him get to the milestone.

“Everyone – my coaches, my teammates, my family. I just want to thank everyone. I couldn’t be here without them.”

And what are his goals the rest of the season? “Just to keep training, try to do my best, and place in states as high as I can. Keep working at it.”

Century Club

Neill’s teammate and fellow state medalist Tommy Borgia also reached the 100 win milestone in his 117th bout, though the Princeton football commit took until Feb. 14th of his junior year. Shane Metzler became WMC’s first junior centurion at 2016 regions. Neill and Borgia are gunning for Metzler’s school record 144 wins. As Neill nabbed number 100, Borgia won his 141st against Old Bridge.

Nick Matthews became WMC’s first centurion in 2013, followed by Brandon Carcuffe and John Sickles the same year. Borgia is second in career wins to Metzler, followed by Matthews (131), Marco Gaita (124), Rider wrestler Michael Campanaro (117 in a pandemic-shortened schedule), coach Mark Montuore (113), Kade Loughney (112), Dylan Luciano (111), Carcuffe and Justin LeMay (110 each), David Migliaccio (107), Sickles (105), and now Neill (100).

Borgia and Cabarle Pins, Neill 100th Not Enough as Knights Ride 49-30

The powerful Old Bridge Knights, with 14 top-100 ranked wrestlers, swept Saturday’s tri-meet with the 49-30 win over WMC. OB is 16-5.

The Pack pinned five times, including Neill’s historic 100th, Tommy Borgia over #43 Liam Kellgren (18-6), Cabarle over #75 Ryan Hoey (14-9), Jacob Harrison over another top-100 wrestler, and Frayne’s first easy bout in a week to account for all the WMC scoring.

Beyer finished the match with a highlight-film epic battle for a loss, after which an Old Bridge parent commented, “wow, those two guys sure left it all on the mat.”

Pack Avenges Gov. Livingston Playoff Loss 75-6 as Cabarle, Reed and M. Borgia Pin

The Pack dominated their past, and potential future playoff foe Governor Livingston 75-6 Saturday Feb. 7 at home to open the tri-meet. The Highlanders are coached by one-time WMC freshman standout Matt Liberato.

Only sophomore district and county finalist Eduardo Ribeiro (19-2) won for GL.

Cabarle’s pin was the most impressive of the Pack’s nine pinfall and three tech fall (and one forfeit) performance, decking #72 ranked Joshua Knuth (21-8).

Jake Reed’s return was triumphant, as was Michael Borgia’s, both by pinfall. Beyer, Dymnicki, Tie, Muttart, Neill, Jacob Harrison all pinned. Hayden Hurst returned to the lineup with a tech fall, as Lucas Harrison and John Garcia also delivered five for the team.

With the lopsided score coming with Frayne and Fazzino on the bench, the results bode well for a possible semifinals playoff rematch. Last season WMC also faced GL in semis. The Highlanders prevailed 46-36 before graduating a bevy of hammers.

Marold Mastery, Frayne Pin Lead Pack to 43-25 Comeback at Morris Hills

Going in, the Morris Hills Knights (MH) were 10-6, just behind WMC in the NWJAC American Conference.

Marold masterminded a path to maximize points at the bottom of the lineup with Neil out ill. First, he forfeited to county finalist Dom Lombardi (20-10) at 106.

It looked like the move backfired when Michael Carlucci (9-7) took a 3-0 lead against Ryan Tie, who bumped to 113. But Tie roared back in the second, giving Marold the nine-team-point swing he wanted with an 11-5 victory.

Lucas Harrison avenged a loss and continued his high scoring ways from the night before, topping Andrew Gonzalez (14-9) with another major decision, by 14-6. Just weeks earlier, Gonzalez had pinned Harrison in the fifth place medal round at counties.

With the Pack down 18-7 after another forfeit, Vazquez bumped to 138 to face Kalan Acavedo. The Knight drew first blood, but Vazquez stormed back for an 8-4 decision.

Jacob Harrison flaunted the family fixation on fetching points with a 19-1 tech, his 12th straight win.

Cabarle delivered his fourth straight pin against highly ranked competition, this time decking Victor Gallardo (18-10) to give the Pack its first lead, 21-18.

Eager to go home, WMC bigs continued their dominance by ending four of the final five bouts early. The captains delivered, as Beyer and Fazzino pinned and teched respectively, and Tommy Borgia got a forfeit at the end.

But there was drama in between. MH bumped their outstanding region placer Frank DiMarzio (25-4), eager for revenge against Frayne.

The No. 24 ranked Knight came out with a vengeance, leading 7-0 in the first, and 10-3 in the third, forcing the WMC fellow sophomore to his back, and nearly getting his team a 31-31 tie.

“He got a little too high, like I felt his pressure going towards my head a little bit,” said Frayne, still out of breath as he recounted what just happened. “So then I just grabbed under his leg and tried to dump [a quick-circling takedown finish] him a little bit and he landed on his back.”

When Frayne's opponents face the ceiling, he's like a dog on a bone. The prolific pinner ended it, decking DiMarzio just as he did in last year's dual. Since Sparta, Frayne’s only losses have been to state medalists.

Despite forfeiting twice, the Pack prevailed 43-25. Last season WMC dominated MH 55-24.

“Larry Lazarus” Epic Comeback, Muttart Descent, Frayne Win Drive 40-27 Win Over Hanover Park

The 12-4 Hanover Park Hornets, in first place in the NWJAC Liberty Conference, came in ranked fourth in the Daily Record Morris/Sussex Top 10, two above WMC.

After a forfeit to HP captain Nick DiFrancescantonio (with Neill out sick), WMC was down 27-22 with four bouts remaining.

Vazquez, coming off a brutal stretch of competition (foes ranked #7, #17, #24, #49 and #87), handled #118 Kyle Dunn 7-1. Jacob Harrison pinned, and then Cabarle did the same to guarantee the Wolfpack victory.

Sophomore Baker finished the night with an impressive 6-1 victory over an HP senior.

Fazzino had a big win over #51 Jayden Madera (19-7) by 7-1. Muttart dropped to 113 and rewarded Marold with another huge pin.

Frayne once again had the biggest win of all, outlasting senior #30 ranked district finalist Aedan Hamilton (21-6) by 5-4. Then Borgia pinned top-100 wrestler Lucas Andrade (21-6) in just 30 seconds.

It was Lucas Harrison who provided the most exciting bout of the night. Starting the third down 8-3, “Larry” rose from the grave like Lazarus (97% likelihood of losing) to not only win, but win by major decision 18-10.

“I knew that he was gassed [exhausted] and I knew I could get in my shots,” said the younger Harrison. I did my first dump, I got it and I knew he couldn’t defend and he didn’t have fast reaction time because he was so out of breath. So I just kept spamming it [doing the same move over and over because an opponent can’t stop it] and I eventually got the major.”

Harrison has excelled at comebacks this season. Does he like coming from behind?

“Yeah, a lot,” he replied with a smile.

Last season’s match against Hanover Park was different, with eight Pack wrestlers sent to their backs for the 48-33 HP win.

Celebrating Seniors

WMC celebrated its eight graduating seniors Tuesday night before the Hanover Park match, honoring Michael Borgia, Tommy Borgia, Jake Delli Santi, Alex Dymnicki, Rob Fazzino, Hayden Hurst, Toby Kolawole, and Antonio Montella. They’ve accounted for 59 wins for the varsity Pack this season, and will be hard to replace.

Toby Kolawole was the only undefeated member of the Wolfpack this season (1-0). Following a winning JV record last season, this year he dominated the junior circuit with a tournament gold and a perfect 19-0 record. On varsity, he delivered the maximum six points when coach needed him. He has an eye toward staying in-state at Rutgers, TCNJ or Rowan.

Antonio Montella started eight times for the Pack, 1-3 this season. He also had a strong, winning JV record, including a bronze medal at the Randolph Tournament. In three of the four times Coach Marold sent him to the mat this year, he delivered saved or positive points for the Pack – all while making High Honor Roll academically.

Alex Dymnicki, a Morris County Tournament medalist (4th), has been instrumental in the Wolfpack’s success this season. Following the season-ending injury to sophomore standout Chris Kowalik, Dymnicki made the cut to 190. He’s gone 8-11, with three pins and a TF. What if Marold had to forfeit at 190 instead? On average, the Wolfpack would have lost nearly five team points per match, or in other words, Dymnicki saved (or won) about five points per match for the Wolfpack.

Hayden Hurst, 4-5 this season. Last season he was 6-14, using the relentless pace of WMC wrestling as his personal fitness practice, dropping from 194 pounds to become the 144 lb. starter, and leading the team in escape points. Each of the 14 wrestlers who defeated Hurst last season was ranked top-33%. This season all five losses were to wrestlers ranked #56 or better (top 10%). A robotics and martial arts fan, he’s considering some top academic universities.

Michael Borgia was a district finalist last year, named WMC’s most improved wrestler. This season he’s ranked high enough that states is possible. If his and Frayne’s descent plans come to fruition, look for the Lehigh commit to finish his senior year with post-season competition at his familiar weight of 215. The Wolfpack faithful got a peak when he (along with Fazzino) took silver at the Morris Knolls Tournament.

Team captain Rob Fazzino has finished top-3 in all four tournaments this season, including silver at Morris Knolls, and an even more impressive bronze at counties. He might enter the individual post season as the highest ranked wrestler at 175 in the district, and top 3-4 in the region – foreshadowing a potential trip to states.

Much has been written here about team captain Tommy Borgia, WMC’s all-time pins leader who is on pace to pass Shane Metzler as the all-time wins leader. He’s a 2x district, region and county champ and state medalist (7th) looking to reach the top of the podium before leaving WMC for Princeton.

Ranks and Recognition Review

Frayne was named an NJ.com NJAC wrestler of the week, and also entered the Full Circle Wrestling 2/2 rankings at #9 in NJ – a single rank below a podium prediction.

Here’s our cheat sheet on Rankings.

Next Up

WMC is home versus Jefferson Feb. 11, then the Pack hosts Morristown Feb. 13.

Sectional playoffs schedule follows (only for schools qualifying), Feb. 16 quarterfinals and semifinals (likely at WMC). Section finals are Feb. 18.

This is the State Section Championship that Coach Marold and the team have been gunning for!

If WMC wins the Section Championship:
State Group Semifinals: Friday, February 20, 2026.
Note: Hosted by the higher seed.
State Group Finals: Sunday, February 22, 2026. Location: Rutgers University.

Individual playoffs begin at the District 12 championship on Feb. 28 at Randolph for all WMC starters. Gold, silver and bronze medalists advance to Regions.

The Region 3 championship is March 6-7 at West Orange. The top four region placers advance to face the best of the best in Boardwalk Hall.

The NJSIAA State Championship is March 12-14 in Atlantic City.

State Sectional (team) Playoffs and Power Point Standings

As of 2/8/26, Power Points standing in North Group 2, Section 2.

NJSIAA wrestling power points are a mathematical formula used to seed the team state tournament by awarding teams points for each dual-meet victory (Quality Points) plus additional points based on their opponents' success (Residual Points). For the 2025-26 season, a team’s final ranking is determined by averaging the values of their best nine power-point-producing matches through the February cutoff.

You can track WMC’s Group 2, Section 2 power points (which determine playoff seeds) here.

And here’s a cheat sheet on tournament and playoff structure for the season:

Districts? Goles? Sections? AC? Oh My! A Guide to WMC Wrestling's Road to Glory

About David Yaskulka

To avoid concession duty when his sons Noah and Ben joined WMC in 2012, David revived his sportswriter dream, and still covers the Pack. He’s a sustainability advocate and pet industry executive, having served as CEO of Nature’s Logic, SVP of Mid America Pet Food, and Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition and Greater Good Charities. He currently advises Love, Nala cat food, Archway Pet Food, and rePurpose Global plastic action platform. He invites all WMC wrestlers and their families to connect with him (and with each other!) on LinkedIn.