Wolfpack Sweeps Mt. Olive Quad, Improves To 5-1

Coach Ken Rossi’s wrestling Wolfpack swept the Mt. Olive quad Saturday for the fourth consecutive year, defeating Cedar Grove, Morristown and the host Marauders to raise their season record to 5-1.

“The matches with Mount Olive have always been close,” recalled Rossi. “Two years ago we tied Mt. Olive and Somerville and won both on criteria.”

Mike Caso (now 8-4 on the season), Shane Metzler (12-0), Kade Loughney (10-4), Marco Gaita (11-3), Caleb Isemann (13-2) and Alex “Big Kalt” Kaltenhauser (10-5) led the way, winning all three of their matches for WMC.

Freshmen AJ Hill (2-2) and Justin LeMay (8-6), and junior Christian Trimarchi (6-5), contributed two wins each.

Rossi cited Caso and Kaltenhauser as breakout performers, noting that “it doesn’t surprise me because they did a lot of work in the off-season.” Caso was JV last year, and Big Kalt was 5-10.

Cedar Grove

Caso began the quad delivering a pin at 2:18 of his first bout since cutting to 106.

“I don’t think about weight class,” he said. “I go into each match with the determination and heart to win.” The sophomore contributed a team-high 18 points on the day, and has won seven in a row.

Hill followed with his first varsity win in dramatic fashion, decking his opponent at 2:16.

Metzler, ranked #5 in NJ by Full Circle, was tested by state qualifier Anthony Clarizio (ranked top-14). But the WMC co-captain prevailed in overtime, 3-1 for his second win this season over ranked opponents.

LeMay majored junior Shawn Rooney (who was 10-1 coming in); Loughney outlasted district champ John Schultz; Trimarchi pinned district alternate Corrado Fazio; and Gaita shut out district champ Joseph McCarthy 5-0.

Isemann teched district finalist Michael Dougan on his way to contributing 17 team points on the day. The co-captain is “definitely on a mission,” now at full strength after off-season injuries. Setting the tone for the team, Isemann said “I’m looking for quality wins, and want to out-tough everyone on the mat.”

Big Kalt earned a dramatic overtime victory in the match finale, capping the 45-18 WMC win.

Mt. Olive

Hill propelled the Pack with his second pin, handing Mountain Lakes Tournament medalist Jordan Rodriguez his only loss of the day. Freshman Jack Lyden (1-4) followed with a gutty loss to senior district finalist Ryan Hanlon, avoiding the pin the Marauders sought.

Metzler won by pin, followed by two Mt. Olive victories. Loughney and Gaita notched seven for the Pack with a 10-6 major and 3-0 win respectively.

Isemann bumped to 170, winning by pin. With two Wolfpack forfeits looming, Robert Rosen (4-7) bumped to 182 and gutted out a big 8-7 victory, essentially tying the match at 28 with two bouts remaining.

At 285, Kaltenhauser conquered regional qualifier Daniel Colabella, 9-4.

With the team’s fate on his shoulders, Caso left little suspense, taking 26 seconds to pin his opponent’s shoulders to the mat for the Wolfpack 37-28 win.

Morristown

Metzler topped previously-undefeated Dylan Allison, and Jonathan Vazquez (3-4) outlasted Luke Tappen, who had been 5-3.

A pin from Isemann and four forfeits spotted WMC a 39-0 lead, along the way to the 48-30 Wolfpack win. With seven total forfeits, only half the bouts were actually wrestled.

Big Kalt faced another regional qualifier, and again prevailed, topping Brian Fajardo in overtime. Kaltenhauser tied his personal best with 10 wins, with more than half the season remaining.

WMC JV Tournament

Luke Stefanelli won the WMC JV Tournament championship Sunday – something no Wolfpack upper weight has done in recent memory. Lyden, DeVito and Chris Parisi took silver, and Billy Apostolico placed fourth. Stefanelli, Lyden, DeVito and Apostolico have seen varsity duty this season.

Next up

After visiting powerhouse Roxbury (5-0, ranked #13 in NJ) Wednesday 1/13 --with anticipated top-talent matches such as Regional finalist Craig Roumes (7-0) vs. Isemann, and Evan Vazquez (8-1) vs. Metzler – the team faces Hackettstown (3-3), North Warren (1-4) and host Warren Hills (3-0, ranked top-30) on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Susan Hill