Wolfpack Starts 2-0 Behind Kern, Toppling Montville, Union City

by David Yaskulka

The West Morris Central Wolfpack grappled to a 2-0 start, topping Montville and Union City in the season’s first duals. Senior Dan Kern, returning to the mat after two years away, decked two of the opposition’s best wrestlers.

Colin Loughney and Eli Shepard each delivered a pin and a major, as Kevin Ramos, Malachi Shepard and Luke Stefanelli won twice on the mat. Eli Shepard joins John DeVito and A.J. Hill as the early win leaders with five.

After leaving wrestling for baseball, Kern said “I kind of realized it was a big mistake. All this hard work that I put in kind of fizzled out, and coming back really completed the circle.” Kern had experienced success in the youth program and on JV freshman year.

What’s it like coming back? “I’m just going back to what I used to do well -- neutral, good shots, and then cradle.” Strong wrestlers from Montville and Union City saw first-hand that Kern didn’t forget much.

Shepard Leads WMC over Montville in Home Opener

A raucous home crowd was treated to a solid 41-23 victory over new division rival Montville Tuesday (12/18). Kern, an underdog in his first-ever dual, pinned Montville senior district place winner Luke DeFellippo at 1:15 to give the Wolfpack a 24-10 lead.

After a Wolfpack loss, Eli Shepard (wrestling 138, 5-2 record) majored one of Montville’s best, regional place winner Nick Gentile, 10-0 to build on the lead.

The match had started with WMC senior first-time wrestler Brian Cherifi (195, 1-3) taking one for the team vs. Montville’s hammer Joe Daddario, ranked no. 7 in NJ (RankWrestlers.com). But relative newbie juniors Jorge Montenegro (220, 4-4) and Ramos (HWT, 3-2) continue to impress up top, each delivering clutch one-point victories in toss up bouts to tie the match 6-6.

Later, freshman Malachi Shepard (113, 4-2) took just 57 seconds to give the Wolfpack its first lead. Kern’s (126, 3-2) dramatic pin, and Montville forfeits to state qualifiers Robby Bohr (120, 4-2) and Justin LeMay (152, 4-2), essentially sealed the Mustang’s fate.

Loughney’s (145, 4-2) major and Stefanelli’s (182, 2-0) last second score capped the victory.

It was an impressive performance against the 15-7 District 8 second place team from last season – and the first match in what is sure to be a grueling NWJAC American Division, which also includes Delbarton, Pope John, Mendham, Roxbury and Sparta.

The large home crowd of WMC students, parents, alumni and fans buoyed the team with rousing ovations. Sadly, a fight broke out in the stands after the match – a surprisingly rare occurrence given the emotions of watching one’s child subdued by an opponent. Nearby spectators broke it up, and it appeared no one was injured.

Pack Dominates Union City as Loughney and Cherifi Shine

WMC faced an inexperienced Union City team Saturday, but Coach Ken Rossi kept the pedal to the metal in a 72-6 Wolfpack win. Kern and Loughney pinned two of Union City’s best to assure the route.

Ramos and Malachi Shepard started the dual by winning the match’s most competitive bouts, 5-0 and 6-5 respectively, sandwiching two UC forfeits for an 18-0 Wolfpack lead.

The rest wasn’t pretty as WMC rolled with nine consecutive pins, delivered by Kern, Matt Borgia (132, 3-3), Eli Shepard, Loughney, LeMay. DeVito (160, 5-2), Jack Lyden (170, 3-2), and Stefanelli.

Cherifi delivered the Pack’s ninth pin at 2:43 for his first victory. Montenegro fell to UC’s best, Edwin Polanco (22-4 last season), to avert the shut out.

Early Honors

Rossi named seniors DeVito, Hill and Stefanelli captains, joining two-time state qualifier LeMay.

Wrestling Full Circle has recognized LeMay, DeVito, Bohr, and now Eli Shepard among the top-ranked wrestlers in New Jersey. Shepard topped Bound Brook’s Mark Venson at X-Calibur to earn the recognition.

RankWrestlers.com recognizes 10 Wolfpack wrestlers among the top-100 of their weight class, including LeMay (no. 9), DeVito (14), Loughney (25), Stefanelli (29), Bohr (37), Eli (39) and Malachi (42) Shepard, Hill (43), Lyden (79), and Michael Ferrante (94, 4-4 at 106). Right behind them are Montenegro (104), Kern (134) and Borgia (136). Most NJ weights have over 500 wrestlers.

Next Up

The Goles Tournament is 12/27 at Warren Hills. Last year, Marco Gaita took gold, while Eli Shepard, LeMay, DeVito, Stefanelli and Robert Rosen nabbed silver. Loughney and Jonathan Vazquez won bronze.

The team is home 12/29 vs. top-25-ranked North Hunterdon, away at Roxbury 1/3 and the Mt. Olive quad 1/5 with Paramus and #7 ranked Southern. Pin Cancer night is 1/22 at Mendham.