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Health & Fitness

Metzler, fellow freshmen fuel Wolfpack success

West Morris Central 106 lb. starter Shane Metzler won four times this week, raising his record to 24-6, and is on pace to set the school record for first-year wins. He leads a high-impact freshman class which has contributed 54 victories so far.

Loughney, Parkinson-Gee and Trimarchi contribute big

West Morris Central 106 lb. starter Shane Metzler won four times this week, raising his record to 24-6. On pace to set the school record for first-year wins,  he leads a high-impact freshman class which has contributed 54 victories so far.

 

WMC defeated Hopatcong and Belvidere this week, while falling to 13th-ranked High Point, and then to Scotch Plains in the North 2/Group 3 Sectional playoffs.

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Metzler’s been dominant, demonstrating drive and on-mat purposefulness that belie his age and size. His debut season already ranks among the best in school history, which include Dylan Luciano’s (25-13) and David Migliaccio’s (22-12) 2012 season, and the 2010 debuts of Nick Matthews (25-13), Cory Fleming (23-12) and John Sickles -- who at 29-9 was WMC’s winningest freshman.

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In his last 16 bouts, Metzler lost only to Ty Agaisse and Brandon Paetzell -- the two top-ranked 106-pounders in NJ.

 

His success is no surprise to head Coach Ken Rossi.

 

“Shane spends countless hours in the off-season training to compete at a high level,” said Rossi.  “He has a tireless work ethic and enjoys demanding workout environments.  Shane has a great attitude and excellent confidence which helps him remain relaxed and mentally focused going into big matches.  The way Shane starts getting warmed up early and is constantly attacking sets a great example.”

 

Metzler shared the praise, saying “The freshman class is full of smart, athletic, and hardworking men. JV or varsity, they all push the pace in practice and try their very best to get team points towards the win.”

 

“I am really pleased with the freshman group,” agreed Rossi. “Kade Loughney has established himself as a tough competitor at 113 and took 4th place in the MCT. Christian Trimarchi has really progressed this season posting a 16-3 JV record and a 5-5 varsity record which helped us win several dual meets.  Taylor Parkinson-Gee has been hampered by injury and illness but battled through them to get six varsity wins.  Jack Dunn, Louis Mautone, Austin Gast, Dylan Zindulka, Jake Congdon, and Ryan Finlay have all been able to get JV experience and provide depth for the future.”

 

“Some of us knew we had the potential to be starters,” explained Loughney, “so in the off-season and practice we worked really hard to get prepared.”

 

Metzler’s advice for young athletes is “Work your hardest. If you don't want to go to practice, force yourself to go. If Coach tells you to do 10 pull-ups, do 11. Basically, push yourself to be the best.”

 

“My goals for the remainder of the season are: district finalist, region finalist, and a chance to go to Atlantic City to compete with the best of the best [at the NJSIAA championship],” said Metzler.

 

Scotch Plains

In the Sectional quarterfinals, Scotch Plains defeated the Wolfpack 42-31 Monday night at WMC. Loughney led the way for the Pack by defeating 13-9 Jashmar Phillippe. John Schade, Caleb Isemann, Metzler and Migliaccio all contributed wins.

 

High Point

WMC fell to powerhouse High Point 51-19 Friday. Jesse Windt’s 3-0 victory over state qualifier Robert McDonnell roused the crowd, along with wins from Ben Piraneo, Migliaccio and Metzler.

 

Belvidere and Hopatcong

The Wolfpack swept both ends of a tri-meet Saturday. WMC defeated Belvidere 35-30, despite giving up two forfeits. Luciano majored Kenny Morgan (who was 17-8). Schade, Metzler and Windt pinned their opponents, while Nick Stanzione, Mike Oros, Loughney and Migliaccio all won key matches.

 

Then WMC beat a depleted Hopatcong squad 45-21, highlighted by Isemann’s impressive overtime victory over 14-6 freshman Jake Wilkerson, plus wins from Aldo Cammalleri and Schade.

 

Next up

The team hosts. Delbarton Friday night, then Pomption Lakes, Dover and Morris Hills Saturday.

Special tribute

"Individual commitment to a group effort is what makes a team work, a society work, a civilization work," said Vince Lombardi. No one exemplifies that commitment more than Thomas Stoll and his parents, Craig and Connie Stoll.

Despite undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Thomas Stoll has stuck with the team throughout the season. A true leader, he's been encouraging and even helping coach less-experienced teammates.

And despite their son not wrestling, the Stolls never stopped working tirelessly to help the team. Connie Stoll continues to serve on the Parents Club board, and runs the team's key fundraiser -- the concession stand at every home match. Her husband and son work by her side.

Not surprisingly, when the attached photo of the Stolls was posted on Facebook, wrestlers and their parents came out in record numbers to express their appreciation.

CORRECTION: an earlier version of this article incorrectly identified John Sickles' freshman record as 27-11. According to NWCAonline.com, John Sickles 2010 record was 29-9. His brother Mike was 27-11 as a junior that year.
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