Wolfpack wrestlers are National Division champions, top Fair Lawn to face Roxbury in Sectional semifinals Wednesday

(Chester, NJ 2/7/17) “The Pack is back!” exclaimed West Morris Central’s Shane Metzler, as Wolfpack wrestlers won the National Division championship and their first-round sectional playoff victory this week.

A 59-15 victory over Parsippany Hills on 2/1 secured WMC’s first uncontested National Division crown since 1990.

“It felt great,” said senior captain Kade Loughney. “Everyone has been wrestling the best they have all year. I think if we keep wrestling the way we've been, we are going to win a sectional title.”

Monday night, the Pack moved closer to doing just that, defeating Fair Lawn in the opening round of sectional (team) playoffs 41-24 in front of a boisterous home crowd.

National Division Champs

“Winning the National Division was one of our top goals for the season and it is very satisfying accomplishing it,” said Coach Ken Rossi. “The boys worked extremely hard in pursuit of that goal.”

“Winning the division was a great achievement,” agreed Metzler.

Eli Shepard, Colin Loughney, Jonathan Vazquez, Kade Loughney and Metzler all delivered falls (Shepard’s via tech) to route the undermanned Par Hills squad, which only sent seven wrestlers to the mat.

The Pack went 4-0 in the division with a 37-25 triumph over perennial champ Roxbury, a 35-26 win over Randolph, and a 54-18 rout of Morris Knolls last month. In 2006, WMC won a share of the division championship.

“The Roxbury match was the most memorable, said Kade. “In my first three years we never beat them.”

Metzler agreed. “I’ve wanted to beat them since I was a freshman, and we finally made it happen.”

To advance in sectionals, WMC will need to beat Roxbury again in the semifinals.

Group 4 Sectional Playoffs

WMC started the NJSIAA North 1, Group 4 sectional tournament topping Fair Lawn and its six returning regional qualifiers or state-ranked wrestlers – WMC has three.

“Tonight's win was a total team effort,” said Rossi. “We got some big toss up wins, scored bonus points, and didn't give up much bonus. That is usually a good formula for a good win. Vasquez, Rosen, and Shepard won big toss up matches for us tonight and our hammers took care of business. Our intense pace and tough schedule had us ready to compete tonight.”

One of those hammers, Metzler delivered his 131st career victory, tying the senior captain with Nick Matthews for most in school history.

Fair Lawn opened by bumping a regional qualifier to face Vazquez; it backfired, as the WMC junior prevailed 9-4.

Kade Loughney prevailed 2-1 over regional qualifier Ben Cohen for the senior captain’s 99th career win. A 13-0 major from Justin LeMay, a win from senior captain Christian Trimarchi, and pins from Marco Gaita and Robert Rosen followed.

Mike Caso locked up the team victory by pinfall. Shepard iced the cake for WMC by pinning a regional qualifier for the big upset.

The home crowd cheered as team statisticians Sydney Manning, Melanie Brothers, Julia Pirrello, and Bella Trimarchi chronicled what could be an historic month for the team.

In the semi-finals on 2/8 WMC will again face Roxbury. If they win they’ll likely visit #1 seed Mendham for the championship.

Hunterdon Central

NJ’s #8 ranked Hunterdon Central and its five state qualifiers showed their muscle in a 42-21 victory over WMC Friday night.

Metzler and junior captain Gaita had impressive victories: Metzler topping sixth-ranked Peter Nace 5-3 and Gaita beating tenth-ranked Michael Iodice 7-2. Gaita is now ranked #12 in NJ (Full Circle).

Caso also had a huge triumph over state qualifier Jack Bauer, 4-3.

“The Hunterdon Central match was scheduled to get the guys ready for the post-season,” said Rossi. “We split the wrestled matches six to six with them. I was pleased with our effort and the outcome, but there is still work to do.”

Loughney delivered a pin, as Trimarchi and Rosen also won for the Pack.

JV

AJ Hill brought home gold for the Wolfpack at Sunday’s Newton JV Tournament. The sophomore varsity letter winner is 10-0 JV as he’s rehabbed from injury. Chris Parisi (15-3 JV, 3-7 varsity) and Jack Lyden (17-2) both won silver.