Rossi’s wrestlers target “pretty large goals” for 2016-17

Nationally-ranked opponents await Coach Ken Rossi’s 2016-17 West Morris Central wrestling team Saturday at the XCalibur Tournament in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Losing only three seniors to graduation, the Wolfpack looks to open its season building on last season’s surprising success.

“We have some pretty large goals for this season,” said Rossi. “We would like to finish with an .800 winning percentage, win the NJAC National Division, qualify for Sectionals, send eight guys to Regions, and send four to States.”

Last year the team was 10-9 (.526), finished 4th in the Division, missed Sectionals (the team State Championship tournament), sent five to Regions (the second rung of the individual championship tournament), and two to States (the individual finals in Atlantic City) – a surprisingly strong showing for a rebuilding team with just five returning starters.

The 2014-15 squad was 17-4 (.800), reached Sectional finals, and sent eight to Regions and three to States.

Could this squad be that good?

THE WRESTLERS

Twelve varsity lettermen return for the Wolfpack, led by four returning “hammers”: NJSIAA 5th place medalist Shane Metzler (38-2, ranked #4 in NJ according to Full Circle Wrestling) at 126, District 1 champion Kade Loughney (28-10, ranked top-20) at 152, two-time Regions place winner Marco Gaita (28-10) at 170, and All-Conference first-teamer Mike Caso (23-9) at 113. They have a legitimate shot at Atlantic City.

Justin LeMay (15-15) at 145, Christian Trimarchi (14-15) at 160, Robert Rosen (6-12) at 195 and a few others could step up to the next level and make Regions.

Likely starters include Chris Parisi at 120, Jonathan Vazquez (4-6) at 132, JV Award winner John DeVito at 138, and Luke Stefanelli (2-6) or Zach Fuchs at 182, according to Rossi. AJ Hill (8-11), Jack Lyden (4-12) and Billy Apostolico wrestled big matches for the Pack last year, and will likely be asked to again.

Incoming freshmen include three NJ Grade School League place winners: Kade’s brother Colin Loughney (3rd) and Robbie Bohr (6th) – who will compete for 106 -- and Nicolas Kaltenhauser (6th). Matt Borgia, Eli Shepherd and Grayson Apgar also join the team.

Karan Bajaj, Austin Gast, Sean Giles, Louis Mautone, Jayden Melicharek, Jack Dunn, Max Kraft, Adrian Hefner and Tyler Tomer are all potential contributors.

Graduates Caleb Isemann, Alex Kaltenhauser (Nicolas’ brother) and Mike Brown will be sorely missed by Rossi and his coaching team of Chris Marold, Jim Balella, John Barnett and Jeremy Adickes. Isemann was a hammer, impressing at the NJSIAA championships. Big “Kalt” Kaltenhauser had a breakout senior year, making Regions. Brown’s career was hampered by injury, but his leadership will be missed.

XCALIBUR AND TEAM HISTORY

WMC placed 7th out of 28 at last year’s XCalibur, hosted by #1 ranked Wyoming Seminary. Metzler topped Seminary’s nationally-ranked Jack Davis to win gold at 120. A Saturday rematch would have national implications -- Davis is #12 in the nation at 126 (InterMat), Metzler #18.

Gaita (4th) and Loughney (6th) hope to improve on their impressive 2015 showings.

According to WMC Wrestling Parent’s Club President Jeff Hill, Pack members wrestled a grueling off season schedule, including about 50 duals, most in “wrestling hotbed Pennsylvania, against club teams.”

Metzler begins senior year with a 105-14 record – WMC’s first-ever 100 win junior. He’s tied for 5th in all-time victories with John Sickles. David Migliaccio (4th with 107 wins), Brandon Carcuffe (110), and Dylan Luciano (111) could be passed this month -- and Nick Matthews’ school-record 131 is in sight.

Loughney is 16th in all time victories at 74-37, between Chris Cholish and Mike Sickles – with the elite 100 win circle in sight.

GIVING BACK

WMC is fighting cancer this season, and invites fans to contribute. WMC is 3rd on the Pin Cancer Wrestle for a Cure Teams Leaderboard as of 12/5, led by Rosen, 4th among individual fundraisers.

NEXT UP

After Saturday’s XCalibur Tournament, WMC travels to Montville on 12/20, High Point 12/22, the John Goles Tournament 12/28 and Voorhees 12/30. Home opener is 1/4/17 vs. North 1 Group 4 champion Roxbury.