WMC Wrestlers Campanaro and Frayne Compete in State Championship

By David Yaskulka

3/6/22. West Morris Central Wolfpack stars Michael Campanaro and Henry Frayne ended their seasons exactly where New Jersey wrestlers envision: in legendary Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. That’s where the best-of-the-best compete, and future NCAA and Olympics champions grasp their first glory.

Neither got the result he wanted at this week’s NJSIAA Wrestling Championship this week. Campanaro went 1-2, and Frayne went 0-2.

Campanaro appeared hampered, wearing a black brace on his arm.

In fact, his parents had implored him to end his season after a painful elbow injury in the District semi-final, according to Michael senior. But the Wolfpack junior said, “Mom and Dad, sorry but it’s not an option. I need to finish this.”

Campanaro went on to win the finals to become District 11 champion, and then won the Region 3 championship a week later.

Campanaro is now a three-time state qualifier, and finished top-24 in New Jersey. No one in WMC history before him had ever qualified for States in his first three years.

Frayne’s Big Heart on Display

Frayne, the Region silver medalist, was a first-time State Championship qualifier.

That’s common for the state’s most outstanding junior heavyweights. In fact, only four sophomores and zero freshmen made it to the big show at 285.

Eighteen of the 32 competitors were in fact seniors, so of course won’t be competing with Frayne next season. Both losses in AC were to seniors.

Frayne fell to Brick Memorial senior Sam Azzaretti to conclude his season in Boardwalk Hall, a match which put Frayne’s heart on full display.

“The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back,” said legendary football coach Vince Lombardi.

Frayne, also a gridiron star for the Wolfpack, was striving for glory as he attempted one big move after another in the waning moments of his season. He attempted a headlock, but got taken down. Then quickly escaped and tried a different throw, got taken down, and got up. And again. And again. Azzaretti prevailed 11-6 to end Frayne’s season.

Campanaro’s first match was against Butler’s 38-4 15th-ranked senior Brett Redner.

After Campanaro scored the bout’s first points with a second period escape, Redner scored two on a take down. Redner remained in control from there, ending with an 8-2 defeat for the Wolfpack hammer. Redner was one of only two upsets in the round of 32, and the lowest seeded – but not lowest ranked – wrestler to advance.

What’s Next?

In the first round of wrestlebacks, Campanaro faced Governor Livingston’s Scott Rayack.

Campanaro immediately drew first blood, shooting just 10 seconds in to nab the 2-0 lead. After an escape, the Wolfpack junior’s deep shot gave him a 4-1 lead.

Rayack looked like he would make it interesting, coming out on top of a scramble to make it 4-3.

But Campanaro turned it up from there, scoring with a reversal of his own, and later with two sets of back points after takedowns, resulting in a dominating 14-3 major decision.

After shaking Rayack’s hand, Campanaro didn’t even let his hand get raised, seemingly invoking West Wing character President Bartlett’s signature phrase embodying his work ethic after overcoming daunting, painful challenges: “What’s next?”

Next for Campanaro was a familiar foe, Mount Olive’s returning state medalist Jack Bastarrika. Campanaro upset Bastarrika on January 5 when West Morris came surprisingly close to upsetting the powerhouse Marauders.

But Bastarrika avenged the loss later that month, pinning Campanaro in the Morris County Tournament. Unfortunately for Campanaro, the now two-time state medalist Bastarrika was not to be denied.

What’s next for Campanaro and Frayne? No one would be surprised if it were senior years that end on the podium in Boardwalk Hall.

Contributing writer David Yaskulka’s day job is Senior VP, Corporate Social Responsibility at Mid America Pet Food in Mt. Pleasant, TX. He’s also Board Chair of Greater Good Charities, and Board Vice Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition. His sons wrestled for the Pack.