'Reload, Not Rebuild' Reason Behind Wolfpack Wrestling's Successful Start

Giants new head coach Ben McAdoo said the team will “reload, not rebuild.” He’d be smart to observe Coach Ken Rossi’s West Morris Central wrestling team in what many expected to be a rebuilding year.

The team lost two tough matches in a blizzard-shortened week, falling to strong Morris Knolls and Delaware Valley teams -- but they’re still 8-4 on the year.

When a team returns only five starters, fans expect rebuilding. But Rossi expected more.

Like rookies in the NFL, freshmen are critical for rebuilds or reloads. The Long Valley Youth Wrestling feeder program, led by Michael Campanaro, and formerly led by current WMC Wrestling Parents Club president Jeff Hill, is stellar and assures a strong group. It’s like having a pipeline from LSU.

The freshman Pack is led by Justin LeMay, who won the New Jersey Grade School Wrestling League as an eighth grader. He’s contributed 10 wins. AJ Hill has won five of his 10 bouts. Jack Lyden delivered four wins, as classmates John DeVito and Luke Stefanelli pitched in one each.

But it’s also about back-ups stepping into the limelight – invariably due to an intense off-season commitment. While wrestlers rarely compete in more than 40 or so bouts in a season, many wrestle two or three times that number in the off-season. And it’s not just matches – to improve, there are wrestling club workouts, tournaments, technique lessons, strength training, daily cardio workouts, careful nutrition and more.

Michael Caso had three wins last season backing up Metzler at 106. This year, he’s 14-4. Heck, he’s won three bouts in each of the last two quads, and sits poised for a post-season run.

Jonathan Vazquez has been hampered by injury, but winning three of your first seven varsity matches is a big contribution.

Christian Trimarchi won just twice last season as a spot starter. This year he’s solidified the middle with a 10-7 record. Coming back from injury, senior Mike Brown has contributed wins.

Marco Gaita was 17-18 as a freshman at 126, though wrestled better that that. But this year he’s been near dominant at 152, winning 75% of his bouts.

Caleb Isemann was strong last season, but has taken it to the next level, winning 85% of his bouts.

Robert Rosen had a strong year on JV, but has been a big contributor with six wins, despite often facing wrestlers five to 15 pounds heavier.

Even juniors Kade Loughney and Shane Metzler have upped their games. Though the records are similar to last year so far, weight class jumps (four and two respectively) and strong competition have not slowed them down. Metzler remains undefeated.

Alex “Big Kalt” Kaltenhauser was 10-15 last year, and has reversed that to go 13-8 so far, knocking off Regional qualifiers multiple times.

By all counts, 2015-16 has been a strong reload, despite this week’s setbacks.

Delaware Valley

Del Val defeated the Pack 46-20 in front of the Wolfpack faithful at WMC Monday night. Caso (14-4) continued his torrid streak, winning 10-5 to remain undefeated since making the drop to 106. Metzler (18-0) took on LehighValleyLive.com top-15 wrester Vito Intilli (13-6) and won by major, 13-2. Gaita (15-5) continued winning at 152, delivering six for the home team. Like his fellow co-captain Metzler, Isemann (17-3) took on a top-15 wrestler and dominated, 14-3. Big Kalt rounded out the Wolfpack scoring, winning 3-2. In all, Del Val boasts 11 wrestlers ranked top-15 in their area.

Morris Knolls

Despite winning seven of the 12 bouts wrestled, WMC fell to Morris Knolls 33-30 on 1/20. LeMay starting things off on a strong note for the Pack, defeating senior Anthony Palma by fall. Caso also contributed six for the team. Isemann, Hill and Metzler contributed major decisions. Trimarchi and Gaita won. Knolls prevailed with pins from Luke and Dean Drugac, respectively ranked 6th and 4th in NJ by Full Circle, and with two forfeits from WMC. Most of these competitors will battle again at the upcoming Morris County Tournament.

Next up

After visiting rival Mendham Wednesday night, the team goes to Mt. Olive for the Morris County Tournament Friday night and Saturday. Metzler has defeated every ranked wrestler he’s faced this year, but may face his toughest challenge yet. Hanover Park freshman Nick Raimo, ranked #1 in NJ and #4 in the nation (FloWrestling), could face the WMC junior in a battle with Atlantic City implications.