WMC wrestlers are 7-1 entering Pin Cancer night vs. Mendham, Tuesday 1/10 at 7 PM

Pin Cancer Night Preview by Jeff Hill

Wolfpack wrestlers host sister-school rival Mendham on Tuesday, January 10th (JV at 6pm; Varsity 7pm). While the competition will be fierce on the mat, the teams are cooperating to battle a common opponent, as the event marks the teams’ annual Pin Cancer night. Proceeds from a number of activities that evening will benefit the organization founded by former wrestlers and embraced universally by the close-knit wrestling community (http://pincancer.org/).

Both teams enter the match with one loss (WMC is 7-1; Mendham, 6-1). Central’s only blemish came at the hands of perennial power Southern over the weekend, while Mendham fell to #20 Middletown South early in the season, and arrives Tuesday having won 5 in a row since that loss.

Both teams are solid throughout their line-ups, so close matches are likely to be the rule all evening. However, look for a potential match-up between Mendham’s undefeated Troy Navarino (ranked 12th in NJ) and the Wolfpack’s one-loss junior Marco Gaita. Mendham regional qualifier Thomas Masucci should see WMC’s state medalist Shane Metzler at 126 in a battle of one-loss seniors, while Dom DiGena and the Wolfpack’s Mike Caso are likely to provide plenty of fireworks at 113, having met twice last year in matches decided by 1 or 2 points.

WMC on track for pre-season goals

West Morris Central wrestling is now 7-1 after topping Kearny, Mt. Olive and Cedar Grove this week, while falling to Southern Regional.

“I told the boys that we wrestled well against a perennial power in the state,” said Coach Ken Rossi. “However, we cannot be satisfied with losing. We have to learn from the experience, make adjustments, and help us improve from here out.”

Marco Gaita (15-1 at 170), Shane Metzler (14-1 at 126), Mike Caso (12-2 at 113), Robby Bohr (9-3 at 106), Jonathan Vazquez (6-7 at 132) and Robert Rosen (6-5 at 195) led the way with three wins each.

Kade Loughney (13-2 at 152), Christian Trimarchi (9-7 at 160), Colin Loughney (7-5 at 106) and Eli Shephard (6-7 at 120) won twice.

The team is on track to achieve Rossi’s lofty pre-season goals, sitting atop the National division with an .875 winning percentage, and ranking third in the Section. Ten guys are on pace for 17 or more wins, five of those for 25+ wins -- typical numbers for Regions and States respectively.

“We are excited about our record, but we are only about one-third of the way through the grind,” says Rossi.

Metzler agreed, saying “A National division championship has been a goal of ours since the last title in 2006. Beating Roxbury set forth momentum we have been riding like a wave. We need to continue to compete at that level to achieve our goal.”

WMC 35, Cedar Grove 28

Losing the first four bouts wrestled, WMC rallied to defeat Cedar Grove to start Saturday’s quad. Rosen, bumping to 220, started the Pack’s own winning streak with a 13-4 major. Colin Loughney – facing an undefeated fellow frosh -- and Bohr delivered pins, followed by a Caso major.

Metzler topped fellow state-ranked state qualifier Anthony Clarizio 5-4 in the week’s marquee bout, assuring the team win. WMC’s Rutgers commit is ranked #2 in NJ and #20 in the nation.

“Shane has hit his mid-season stride,” according to Rossi. “He controlled the bout.”

WMC 42, Mt. Olive 36

WMC and Mt. Olive always seem to have great matches, including Saturday’s. Overall, ten wrestlers pinned, including Gaita, Bohr, Caso, Vazquez, Metzler and Justin LeMay (11-5 at 145), with additional wins from Trimarchi and Shepard.

Vazquez spectacularly fended off defeat from his back and delivered six for the Wolfpack. Rossi says he’s rounding into form, and “can place in the district.”

LeMay secured the team victory against tough senior Dylan Hanlon. Rossi praises the sophomore’s “great athleticism and deep gas tank.”

Southern Regional 34, WMC 21

Southern, the second top-25 team WMC faced this season, handed the Pack its first loss.

Rosen, Caso and Vazquez triumphs over top Southern wrestlers -- with a combined 23-8 record – were the highlights.

Gaita dazzled by tech fall. He’s been a team point machine with eight falls, three forfeits received, three techs and two majors. That’s 83 net team points (points won minus points lost), by far the most on the team.

“Gaita has been a force,” according to Rossi. He, Metzler and Caso remain undefeated by NJ wrestlers. Metzler won 15-4 and Kade Loughney won 2-1.

John DeVito (7-9 at 138) was impressive, going the distance against a NJ #13 ranked state qualifier. Freshman Nick Kaltenhauser took one for the team, making his varsity debut against undefeated state-ranked senior Seon Bowker.

WMC 55, Kearny 18

Rossi rested four starters, but still dominated Kearny Friday night. Zach Fuchs (1-1 at 195) gutted out a 3-1 overtime victory, his first varsity win. Jack Lyden (1-2 at 145) stepped in to deliver a pin in just 37 seconds.

Bohr delivered his second consecutive pin. Colin Loughney, bumping up a weight, teched sophomore Vincent Ruccatano, who was 4-1 going in.

DeVito majored an undefeated junior, and Kade Loughney pinned a regional qualifier. Trimarchi topped a tough senior, Vazquez and Rosen pinned their opponents and Shepard won by major. The team’s only loss on the mat was to senior regional qualifier Lukasz Glazewski (4-1).

Next Up

Tuesday night 1/10 the team hosts Mendham for Pin Cancer Night. The Pack visits Hackettstown Thursday 1/12, and then travels south to Toms River for a Saturday quad. The next home match will be Senior Night, Wednesday 1/18 vs. division rival Randolph.

Photos

Credit: JoAnn Vazquez, Margaret Stefanelli and Mollissa LeMay