Pack honors Campanaro, Frayne, Hare, Dean, Borgia & a champion season

3/26/23

By David Yaskulka

Coach Chris Marold, Parent’s Club president Mark Montuore and master of ceremonies Sean Hare led the West Morris Central High School Wrestling celebrations at Black Oak Golf Club Wednesday March 22 in Long Valley. Awards were presented to Michael Campanaro, Henry Frayne, Michael Hare, Brandon Dean and Tommy Borgia, who along with Mark Montuore were named first team All-Conference.

The 15-6 Wolfpack team was the NWJAC Conference National Division champion in Marold’s second year as head coach, behind captains Campanaro, Hare and Frayne.

Campanaro (126, 36-5) won the Long Valley Wrestling Outstanding Achievement Award after one of the greatest careers in Wolfpack history. He’s the only wrestler to qualify for the NJSIAA State Championships all four years. Despite a covid-shortened season, his 117 victories is the fourth-most in school history, with the second-highest winning percentage among the top-25.

“All of my coaches, teammates, and my friends have made this an unforgettable journey,” said Campanaro. “Most of all I would like to thank my family who has supported me throughout all of these years and nothing would've been possible without them.”

This year, Campanaro was X-Calibur, Goles and District Champion, while taking silver at Regions (to injury) and County, while somehow finishing top-12 at States.

Dean (144 lbs., 41-5 record) was named Outstanding Wrestler after placing sixth at the State Championships in Atlantic City, the highest-placing underclassmen, and the highest-placing public school wrestler in the state at 144. He was also Region, County, District and Goles champ, and placed third at X-Calibur. His first two years rank with Campanaro and Metzler as the best ever, and he’s on pace to set numerous career records, including wins and pins.

Frayne (HWT, 34-4) was honored with the Coach’s Award after setting the all-time team pins record, and the single season pin record (26), nabbing Goles and District championships this season, along with X-Calibur and Morris County bronze. He’s #19 in career wins for the Pack, compiling the second-most team points ever in a season this year. The RPI commit plans to continue his outstanding football career on the post-secondary level.

Hare (120, 31-12) was named the Blue Gray Award winner. Like Campanaro, Hare finished his outstanding career in Boardwalk Hall before thousands of cheering fans. He was District Champion, and took bronze at Goles, Counties and Regions. His 76 career wins is 26th all-time.

“I'd like to thank all my coaches and especially my parents for making all this possible,” said Hare. “This sport’s greatest lessons are discipline and work ethic. I'm very grateful for these and will carry them with me the rest of my life.” No doubt, he’ll employ them at Virginia Tech, where he will serve in the Army ROTC on full scholarship.

After possibly the best rookie season in Pack history, Borgia (215, 34-9) was an easy choice for Rookie of the Year. He’s the second freshman in team history to qualify for States (Campanaro), and the first-ever underclassman big-man. He nabbed X-Calibur and District silver, along with Goles and County bronze.

With Jacob Fahmi, Dean Muttart and Sam Rizzuto named second team All-Conference, and Vincent Caruso nabbing honorable mention, 71% of the starting lineup was honored.

The Wolfpack also finished third at X-Calibur, Goles, and second in Districts, boasting nine X-Calibur medalists and one champion (Campanaro), eight Goles medalists and four champions, seven County medalists and one champion (Dean).

In 2023, Dean led the team in wins (41, second best in school history), and most major decisions (4), and would have nabbed the school pin record with 23 if it were not for Frayne. Frayne’s 26 pins is the school’s best-ever (passing Dylan Luciano), and his 120 net points (team points scored vs. given up) was second best in school history (Marco Gaita). Borgia accepted the most forfeits (7) and had the most tech falls (3), and was second in net team points. Campanaro joined the all-time leaders in dual meet points (4th), falls (11th), and takedowns (5th).

Next year, returning State medalist Dean and State qualifier Borgia will be team hammers, joined by returning Region 3 qualifiers Montuore and Fahmi, and tournament medalists Rizzuto and Caruso.

It will be incredibly hard (and likely impossible) for the team to replace the success its graduating seniors Campanaro, Frayne, Hare and Muttart brought to the team, as well as departing teammates Shaun Seabeck and Connor Daly. Freshmen Michael Borgia, Blake Parkinson-Gee and AJ Cordella will return to give Marold excellent choices up top. Juniors Henry DeFrance, Brendan McBride, Patrick Stetz, and Lucas Barisonek will bring deep varsity experience to their senior years. Sophomores Erin Villanueva, Joseph Wagner, and Jeevan Sathisha could be looked to for varsity spots as well.

“My greatest lesson I've learned from the sport is that you can do everything right and not get what you wanted or set out to achieve,” said Campanaro, who battled devastating injuries in each of his last three visits to States. “That's in wrestling and that's in life. Nothing is handed to you,” said the graduating captain, known for his grit and work ethic. “And nothing is definite.”

About David Yaskulka

David began living his sportswriter dream to avoid concession duty when his sons Noah and Ben began wrestling for the Wolfpack in 2012. His day job is Senior Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility for Mid America Pet Food, whose family of brands is led by VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food and Nature’s Logic. He also serves as Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, and as Board Director at Greater Good Charities.