Stefanelli, DeVito and Loughney Win Goles Wrestling Championships

By David Yaskulka

Three Wolfpack wrestlers grabbed gold medals Thursday at the John Goles Tournament at Warren Hills High School, as the team took silver. Luke Stefanelli, John DeVito and Colin Loughney won championships. The Wolfpack had 12 place winners.

Justin LeMay’s (152, 7-3) controversial non-takedown at the edge left him a point shy of toppling state medalist Wyatt McCarthy, falling 4-3 for silver -- LeMay’s first in-state loss.

Kevin Ramos (HWT, 5-4) nabbed silver while falling to Warren Hills’ Durodolu Ajayi, who was a takedown shy of states last season.

Brian Cherifi (195, 4-4) only won his first-ever match days ago, but broke out at Goles with a dominating 15-5 consolation finals performance for bronze. After losing to some of the best wrestlers in Pennsylvania and NJ, he’s won four of his last five – the loss being 3-2 to the eventual Goles champ. The previous three losses were to opponents who are a combined 25-3.

“It felt amazing,” said Cherifi. “All my hard work is finally starting to pay off. I’ll get a lot closer to achieving my goals later in the season.”

Jorge Montenegro (220, 7-7) and Malachi Shepard (120, 6-5) took fourth in their first Goles appearances. A.J. Hill (170, 7-6) and Robert Bohr (126, 7-4) placed fifth, with Matt Borgia (132, 6-6) and Eli Shepard (who left with an injury, 138, 6-4) taking sixth. WMC fell to North Hunterdon for the team crown in the 10-school tournament.

Loughney (145, 8-2) got WMC its first gold, topping Columbia Region 3 place winner Devin Rocha 9-4. “I’ve come up short two years in a row,” he said, placing third and second prior. “It feels good to win this tournament.” He credits wrestling hard for all six minutes, and scoring from neutral as keys to his success.

DeVito (160, 9-2) stayed undefeated in NJ, besting North’s District 15 champ Michael Wilson 6-3 for gold.

Last year, five of six Wolfpack finalists lost. “That was rough,” said DeVito, who was one of the five. “I can really see all the hard work we put in paying off. Everything we’ve been doing in practice, staying in good positions. Sticking to the basics always works.”

Stefanelli (182, 6-0) remained undefeated as he topped North’s James Holder 6-1 for gold. In the past three seasons he’s gone from third, to second, to first. “I just did what I always do, good defense on my feet,” said the senior. “I think I was two for two on shots, and I rode him out in the last period so he had no chance to score on me.”

Borgia won the Alonzo Widenor Memorial Award for the tournament’s fastest pin (0:13), and also led all 132 competitors in “most pins least time.” Hill, Shepard and Loughney were among the eight fastest pinners. Montenegro was tied for second for exceeding expectations (seed-place difference).

Goles History

"This tournament, started in 1958 by [Washington and Warren Hills coach] John Goles, is the second oldest holiday tournament in New Jersey," according to the event web site. Last year Marco Gaita became a 3-peat champ, as Eli Shepard, LeMay, DeVito, Stefanelli and Robert Rosen all took home silver.

In 2016, Gaita, Shane Metzler and Kade Loughney repeated as champions, as Mike Caso won his first to pace the team to bronze. LeMay won silver, as did Colin Loughney – the first freshman in memory to do so. In 2015, WMC won five gold medals and the team placed third. Metzler, Kade Loughney, Caleb Isemann and Alex Kaltenhauser topped the podium, along with Gaita. In 2014, WMC placed second, with Metzler and Dylan Luciano gaining gold. In 2013, Jesse Windt gained gold for the Pack. At 2012 Goles, Nick Matthews and John Sickles won gold.

Depleted Pack Falls to #21 North Hunterdon Despite Ferrante Upset

Wrestling without three starters, WMC fell to #21 ranked North Hunterdon Saturday, 39-24. Michael Ferrante (106, 5-6) upset Goles fourth placer Nick Delorenzo 8-3. Loughney and DeVito delivered pins, as Bohr, LeMay and Stefanelli contributed wins for the Pack. Jayden Melicharek made his varsity debut in the loss.

Long Valley Youth Wolfpack, Wrestling Alongside WMC, Tops North Hunterdon

--with reporting from the Long Valley team.

The future Wolfpack was on display Saturday as young grapplers wrestled alongside the high school varsity, toppling the previously-undefeated North Hunterdon Lions 60-28. By any measure, the future looks bright for WMC.

After losing the first two bouts wrestled, the young Pack began a five bout winning streak, ignited by a pin from captain Mark Montuore, a sixth grader. Fourth graders Jack Ryan and Mason Vazquez also contributed pins. Third grader Gavin Wohlers, fourth grader Jacob Harrison, fifth grader Michael Borgia and sixth grader Jack Janke all delivered Wolfpack wins.

Brady Cabarle, John Wilson, Ryan Janke, Liam Ryan, Jonathan Cabarle and Tommy Borgia all delivered six for the Wolfpack, accepting forfeits. The match started at 46 lbs., and concluded at 150 lbs.

Next Up

The team visits Roxbury 1/3 and Mt. Olive 1/5, also facing Paramus and no. 15 ranked Southern. WMC hosts no. 6 Delbarton on Tuesday 1/8, visits Voorhees 1/11 and no. 18 Hanover Park 1/12, hosts no. 5 Pope John 1/16, and hosts a 1/19 Saturday quad with Delaware Valley, Kittatinny (no. 4 in Group I) and Westfield. Pin Cancer night is Tuesday 1/22 at Mendham.