WMC Wrestlers Rough Up Randolph for 1st Win, Drop 2 Heartbreakers

By David Yaskulka, with photography from Laura Ferrante, Lisa Montuore and John Dean

RANDOLPH, NJ 12/26/21 -- The Chris Marold era as West Morris Central’s wrestling head coach continued in a positive direction Thursday, defeating Randolph 46-30. It was the team’s first dual meet win since demolishing Woodbridge 60-11 at the end of the 2019-20 season. The Pack also lost two heartbreakers by a combined three points.

Mark Montuore (106) again showed he’s a high-impact freshman, majoring returning District 10 silver medalist Tyler Fabin 16-6.

Wolfpack wrestlers showed domination in a series of first period pins from Michael Hare (120) and Michael Campanaro (126) to start the match, then Brandon Dean (bumping up to 138) and Henry Frayne (HWT) later on.

That’s the first taste of varsity team victory for more than half the team – and 677 days since the last win if you’re counting. The shorthanded Pack was 0-11 last season.

Though the match sadly featured five forfeits, ultimately it was won on the mat. Randolph received 18 forfeit points, and WMC received 12, so the score was 34-12 in wrestled bouts.

Full Circle Recognizes Dean

Dean’s breakout performance at X-Calibur last week resulted in an NJSIAA #3 ranking by Full Circle Wrestling – by far the highest of any WMC freshman in recent history. The ranking is by virtue of Dean’s off-season efforts, capped by toppling a returning NJSIAA bronze medalist at X-Calibur. But the season is young.

Rankings of course don’t guarantee success – nor does the lack of a ranking prevent it. Recently, both Kade and Colin Loughney, as well as Justin LeMay, went largely unranked throughout their senior years. All finished on the podium. On the other hand, Jess Windt was ranked top-5 for most of his final season, but illness kept him off the Atlantic City podium.

Campanaro is currently ranked in the top 20.

It was a largely all-or-nothing affair versus Randolph, with 11 of 14 bouts resulting in pin or forfeit. West Morris prevailed in all three bouts going the distance, including Montuore’s signature major, and decisive wins by Dean Muttart (up at 150) and Michael Ferrante (113) by 7-1 and 10-4 respectively.

Brendan McBride (157) and Lucas Barisonek (215) also took the mat, helping the Pack avoid additional forfeits. That could prove critical as a tiebreaker, and will yield additional team benefits as they gain varsity experience.

Pack Drops 42-41 Heartbreaker to Lenape Valley as Frayne, Muttart, Shepard and Hare Shine…

Frayne, Muttart, Shepard, Campanaro and Hare all dominated with pins, as did Dean with a tech fall. But the Pack ultimately fell short on participation points.

While WMC gained 6 points on one forfeit, they gave up four forfeits themselves. Those 24 points from 157 through 190 lbs. sealed the win for Lenape Valley. WMC prevailed 35-18 in bouts decided on the mat.

McBride (150) and Patrick Stetz (215) filled critical varsity spots on the mat for the Wolfpack as well.

…and Loses 39-37 to Hanover Park Despite Shepard Big Win

Despite winning seven of 10 bouts wrestled, the Pack lost a heartbreaker to longtime county rival Hanover Park, 39-37.

Returning state qualifier Malachi Shepard (138) defeated 2020 District 10 champ Massimo Mancini 4-1 to lead the charge as his teammates unleashed a furious flurry of falls on the Hornets.

Hare, Campanaro, Dean, Frayne and Muttart ravaged their opponents with first period pins to give the team a chance – despite forfeiting four bouts (24 team points).

Montuore continued his early success with a 14-4 major victory.

McBride and Stetz again stepped up to help the time avoid additional forfeits, though Stetz fell due to injury.

Goles

Covid denied the team’s opportunity to wrestle in one of the nation’s most venerable holiday wrestling tournaments, the John Goles Tournament, held at Warren Hills High School 12/28 with Campanaro and Ferrante unable to defend their extended championship reigns.

John Dean led a Parents Club effort to enable the team to safely compete, but it was ultimately denied. Principal Rymer stated in a letter that “I'm hopeful that this brief pause will allow for the remainder of the season to continue uninterrupted come January 3, 2022.”

Goles was not cancelled, but WMC did not compete. Goles was cancelled last year. In 2019, Campanaro, Ferrante, Eli Shepard and Colin Loughney were champions. Robby Bohr took silver; Malachi Shepard third; Frayne, Matt Borgia and Mike Battaglino fourth; Hare, Muttart, Jorge Montenegro and Kevin Ramos took sixth.

Next Up

The new year kicks off with the Pack renewing local rivalries, visiting Hackettstown 1/4/22, and hosting Mt. Olive on 1/5/22.

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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.