Sophomore Dean seizes 6th at wrestling State Championship

3/4/23
By David Yaskulka

West Morris Central sophomore Brandon Dean climbed the most prestigious podium in high school wrestling, seizing sixth at the NJSIAA / Rothman Orthopedics State Wrestling Championship Saturday Mar. 4 in Atlantic City. Senior Michael Campanaro placed in the top-12 despite a debilitating injury, culminating a legendary career with Boardwalk Hall wins in all four years.

Freshman phenom Tommy Borgia accomplished what only Campanaro had before in Wolfpack history, winning a match at States as a rookie – despite wrestling virtually all upperclassmen at 215 pounds. Senior Michael Hare completed his outstanding career Friday Mar. 3 in a way most wrestlers only dream – as a senior captain of a Conference champion team wrestling his final bouts in Boardwalk Hall.

“Brandon had a very challenging weight and wrestled great all weekend,” said Coach Chris Marold. “This should give him a ton of confidence and I expect him to be even higher on the podium next year. He is well on his way to challenging many West Morris records.”

Dean is Second Sophomore State Medalist

Region 3 champion Dean (144 lbs., 41-5 season record) was seeded sixth in his first trip to States, and quickly pinned Sparta’s Logan Hrenenko (33-8) in the first round, and then escaped Camden Catholic’s Michael Craft (33-8) by 4-3 in pre-quarterfinals.

Familiar foe and 3-seed Ryan Ford (23-7) of Bergen Catholic, now a three-time state medalist, loomed next. Dean had shocked the wrestling world by pinning Ford last season at X-Calibur, but this time Ford prevailed 8-6, fighting off a frenzied comeback by Dean.

That sent Dean to the biggest bout of his career against Gloucester City’s Region 7 champion Jacob Zearfoss (44-3) in wrestleback round four (WB4) – the fateful “blood round” in which winners lock a place on the podium, and losers go home short of their dreams.

Dean left no doubt he had podium plans.

"After getting a takedown, I mat-returned him a couple of times before switching to a double and bringing him back down," said Dean.

"Once he was down, I bundled his arms into a twister and got the pin" at the end of first period, assuring he’d be only the second sophomore to medal in WMC history (Shane Metzler placed fourth at 106 in 2015).

Dean would win again in WB quarterfinals, topping Southern sophomore Hayden Hochstrasser (33-12) by 6-2 to guarantee sixth place, and to assure no other underclassman would place higher on the podium.

Top-seed and nationally-ranked senior Julian George (28-3) of Christian Brothers Academy, who placed second last season, handled Dean 7-0 in consolation semis before topping Ford for third. St. Peters Prep returning medalist Jonathan Fuller (33-12) topped Dean in overtime for fifth place, scoring after Dean returned from injury time out.

Dean finished the season as NJ’s top public school wrestler, and top underclassman at 144.

"I'm proud that I placed this weekend, although I know I could have done better," said Dean. "Placing with all of the upperclassmen shows that I'm right at that level and that I just need to do some work during the off-season.

"I'm looking forward to bulking up this off-season. I want to get up to 175 for next year."

Campanaro (somehow) Places Top-12 Despite Injury

Campanaro (36-6) concluded one of the outstanding careers in WMC wrestling history as the only Pack wrestler to qualify for States all four years. Somehow, he saw his hand raised each trip, despite a devastating string of injuries the last three years, including fully tearing his MCL in R3 semifinals this year.

But Camp’s determination is the stuff of Wolfpack legend, and he won twice Thursday Mar. 2, blanking Ridge’s Gavin Duran (34-9) by 4-0, and then shutting out Howell state medalist Sebastian Ortega (36-6) 2-0.

In quarterfinals, top-seed and returning medalist Carson Walsh (37-4) of Pope John topped Campanaro 10-2.

That dropped the WMC co-captain to the win-or-done blood round to face Delaware Valley’s Matt Roche (35-12), whom Campanaro blanked 4-0 in the December Goles quarterfinals on his way to gold.

But with Campanaro virtually on one leg, Roche prevailed 7-4, ending Campanaro’s storied high school career with 117 wins (fourth in Pack history despite a covid-shortened season), a Region championship, an X-Calibur championship, two District championships, two Goles championships, and an unprecedented four trips to the State Championships.

“My heart breaks for Michael Campanaro,” said Marold. ”Despite numerous injuries and setbacks, he fell just short of being a state placer. His whole career he has worked so hard and has been incredibly disciplined. He has the ability, the mental toughness, and the work ethic to be a state champ and we haven't got to see him wrestle in a state tournament without a major injury since his freshman year.

“He has made such a mark on this program. I am really going to miss watching how hard he and Hare drilled at practice. Their intensity will be difficult to replace.”

“Wrestling with injuries is just something that comes with the sport,” said Campanaro. “It's another obstacle that you have to overcome. It makes you want to compete more because it seems like something is being taken away from you.

“I was heartbroken after that last match. I put my all into this sport, and leave happy knowing I did it with nothing left in the tank.

“I’ll take the lessons from my last match with me – that there are so many variables that come with success – that you can do anything it takes to win and still not do so. No matter how hard you work, no reward is guaranteed. It is the single most grueling sport, and that's why I have loved it all this time.”

Former youth and high school Parent’s Club president Mike Campanaro said, “I’m not sure what’s next for Michael but I have a feeling from the lessons he’s learned from this sport combined with his mental and physical toughness, his future is going to be extremely bright and enjoyable to watch! We are all proud of you and love you very much!”

Hare’s Outstanding High School Career Ends in Atlantic City

In the opening round, Hare had the honor of facing one of the nation’s best Anthony Knox (39-0) of St. John Vianney, who won via tech on the way to the sophomore’s second state title – and majored two returning state champs along the way.

As Hare walked off the mat after his second AC loss, to Bergen Catholic’s Nicholas Pellito (19-6), Hare stopped and appeared to notice the crowd of thousands in NJ’s wrestling cathedral.

“There was so much going through my head,” said Hare. “I was thinking about the hard work to get there,the goals I had achieved, and all the people who had helped me along the way – my coaches, my team, and my family.

“Knowing it would be the last time I competed on a mat was hard to think about but if there was anywhere I would have wanted it to end it was down in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall.

“I am so incredibly grateful for the discipline and work ethic wrestling has given me – that’s something I will carry with me my entire life.”

“I am really going to miss Michael Hare,” said Marold. ”He stepped up as a leader, a team captain, and a great role model for the team. His goal for this year was to get his name on the [wrestling practice room] wall and he was able to do that by becoming a district champ and a region placer. I'm glad he was able to experience something as special as wrestling in AC.”

Hare was 31-12 this season, and 76-31 for his career, good for (unofficially) top-30 in wins all time for WMC.

Tommy Borgia’s rookie campaign one for the ages

Borgia’s rookie campaign is arguably the most impressive in Wolfpack history, getting his hand raised at States as a big man. It was special that Borgia’s first, and Campanaro’s last AC trip aligned, as they are easy choices for WMC’s freshman Mt. Rushmore. Borgia’s 35 wins is the second only to Camp’s rookie year. They’re the only rookies in team history to make States, and they both had their hands raised in Boardwalk Hall.

Familiar foe Anthony Moscatello (37-6) escaped Borgia 5-3 in the opening round on the way to his second state medal. In January, Moscatello topped Borgia 4-3 in Mt. Olive.

In WB1, Borgia controlled St. Thomas Aquinas junior Steven Coghan (32-9) , advancing by 6-4. Borgia previously topped Goghan 1-0 in a January dual for the freshman’s biggest win of the early season. Friday, Borgia was aggressive from the start, just missing an early takedown at the edge, but getting the dagger-two at the end of the first to set the tone. Allowing one reversal in the second, Borgia escaped, and then escaped early in the third for the 4-2 lead. He then landed another devastating takedown to virtually seal the match, allowing an escape and stalling point for the final score.

“The key to the match was trusting my offense and getting to my attacks fast,” said Borgia.

In WB2 against Highland Regional senior Jonathan Graham (31-5) Borgia admitted “I felt a bit off. Although there is no excuse, I was a little worn out and not used to the quick pace of matches at AC. But Graham was strong, fast, and smart. I feel as if I was able to come out of that one scramble on top, I would have been able to have a much closer match.” Graham fell 3-1 to the top seed Joseph Abil (41-1) in the blood round.

At 215, Borgia was one of only three freshmen to compete in the championships, and 20 of the 32 graduate this year. Of the eight medalists, six will graduate and two are juniors – no freshmen or sophomores placed.

Both of Borgia’s losses were to seniors. In fact, all but two of his nine season losses were to seniors. Fellow freshman phenom Rocco Salerno (33-7) provided both other defeats, setting up an epic rivalry for years to come.

Fittingly, Coach Tom Borgia said of his history-making son, “I have coached a lot of fine young men to states, but this is the most special.”

“I was so grateful for all the amazing competition I got to face this year,” said Borgia. “But seeing that they will all be gone next year is a bit of an exciting feeling because I know I can make a big run. The goal is to be on the top of that podium, no matter what it takes.”

Local Medal Winners

Aiden Scheeringa of Hackettstown placed sixth at 106. Mt. Olive’s Jack Bastarrika placed second at 132, while teammates Moscatello (215) and Tyler Bienus (175) both placed seventh. Roxbury’s Luke Stanich is the 126 lb. champion. Warren Hills’ Jaret Pontuso took fifth at 215. Delbarton draped the podiums with champions Tyler Vazquez (132), Alessio Perentin (157), Louis Cerchio (165) and Simon Ruiz (175), along with medalists Jayden James (113, 3rd), Daniel Jones (120, 2nd) and Cross Wasilewski (150, 3rd).

Next Up

After a celebratory team banquet to honor all the wrestlers, their families, coaches and supporters, WMC will gear up for 2023-24 with Dean as its second-ever returning state medalist, and Borgia as a returning state qualifier.

“I think that Tommy and Brandon will be competing to who will become the third state champ in school history,” predicts Marold.

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.