Wolfpack Wrestlers Dominate West Morris Central Tournament

Carcuffe, Fleming, Kratch, Matthews, Migliaccio and Windt Bring Home Gold

(Chester, NJ)  Seniors Nick Matthews (138) and Brandon Carcuffe (145) took home their second consecutive West Morris Tournament gold medals, as the wrestling Wolfpack dominated the podium Saturday at West Morris Central High School. Fellow seniors Cory Fleming (120) and Adam Kratch (182), junior Jesse Windt (195) and sophomore David Migliaccio (132), all took tournament titles. Nine schools competed.

Wolfpack fans cheered simultaneously for Migliaccio and Fleming, who took adjacent mats for the finals. “Migs’” thrilling pin over Rahway sparked a string of Wolfpack triumphs, as Fleming won 11-5 moments later. Matthews then prevailed 8-3, and Carcuffe 8-6 in overtime to make it four straight titles for the ‘pack.

Kratch shut out his Pascack Valley opponent 4-0, then Windt won 5-1 to secure the Wolfpack’s sixth 1st-place finish, the most of any team.

“I thought the team wrestled outstanding today,” said head coach Ken Rossi.  “It was a good start to the season and should give us confidence moving forward.” He noted that Carcuffe and Fleming both beat state qualifiers in the finals, and commended each place winner by name.

Northern Highlands managed to take overall team honors over the Wolfpack, 176.5 – 174.5, despite just two golds, thanks to a deep lineup.  Rossi said “We were disappointed, but they are a quality team that will be in the hunt for a Sectional Title. Next week we have some key dual meets so we will need to focus on improving errors we made and being focused for more tough competition. “

John Sickles (170) and Thomas Stoll (220) took silver medals. John Schade (113) and Scott DeBoey (HWT) took bronze against extraordinarily tough competition.

Sophomores Michael Oros (126) and Ben Piraneo (106) each scored their first-ever varsity wins, with classmate Kevin Sears also nabbing a tournament victory.

“The team did outstanding in this tournament, and it’s exciting to see how we are going to do in this season,” said Windt, enjoying his first varsity tournament title.  “We have a shot to be sectional champs this year.”

“I'm really looking forward to facing some of the top ranked schools this year,” agreed Fleming. “We were able to hang tough with Northern Highlands, Passaic Valley, and West Essex. Those are pretty good teams and always have been.”

Waves of Wolfpack parents and siblings -- both high school and rec program -- tirelessly worked the concession stand and scorer’s tables from dusk to dawn, assuring an enjoyable day for hundreds of spectators and wrestlers.

Noah Yaskulka and Caleb Isemann led the JV wresters, each going 2-0 in their high school debuts.  Fellow freshman Michael Brown earned his first high school win with a thrilling last-second pin. Aldo Cammalleri, Greg Ierokomos and Anthony Rivera also saw their hands raised in victory.  

Isemann, whose brother John graduated after an impressive wrestling career, summed it up, saying “Wrestling in the tournament was a great experience. Even though I competed JV it was a great chance to try new moves and sharpen my technique. I felt our team dominated the tournament, having so many champions and finalists. A great way to start the year off.”

Visit the West Morris Central wrestling team on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/wmcwrestling.