In a rebuilding year, the WMC Wolfpack wrestling team wrapped up a respectable 10-13 season -- despite facing 10 teams ranked among the best in the state – and racked up a slew of highlights and individual achievements. The team celebrated the 2013-14 season at the Meadow Wood Manor banquet last Tuesday night hosted by the Parents Club.
Club President David Migliaccio, Head Coach Ken Rossi and WMC Athletic Director Kent Schilling recognized and thanked many from the podium, including Club board members Connie Stoll, Beth Schade, Doug Stanzione; volunteer Kate Parkinson-Gee; coaches Chris Marold, Jim Balella, John Barnett and Jeremy Adickes; the coaches’ wives; the wrestlers’ parents; statisticians Katie Hill and Samantha Gaita; and of course, the wrestlers themselves.
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Senior Jesse Windt captured the team MVP award in recognition of one of the greatest seasons and careers in school history. Windt (39-3) won the WMC and the John Goles Tournaments, won the Morris County, District 1 and Region 1 championships; and was named 1st Team All-Conference, All National Division and All-Area. He placed in the top-12 wrestlers in the state at 220 lbs, finishing his career with 94 wins, fourth most in school history.
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“Some wrestlers struggle during their freshman season and go on to being very successful as they get older,” said Rossi. “Jesse took the progression to a new level. He has become the program’s poster child for work-ethic and gradual improvement. His senior year was one of the best in West Morris Central history.”
John Schade (22-16) took home the Coach’s Award for his leadership, grit and outstanding wrestling career. He was named All-Conference – Honorable Mention, 3rd-team All-National Division, took silver in District 1, as well as 3rd in the John Goles Tournament and 4th in the County. His 68 career wins are 16th most in team history.
For the first time, the Blue & Gray Award for hard work, character and dedication was awarded to a freshman. Shane Metzler (29-9) tied the school record for freshman wins, placed 2nd at the WMC and District 1 tournaments, 3rd at John Goles, and fought to wrestleback-2 at Region 1. He was named All Conference – 2nd Team, 3rd-team All-National Division, and his 76 takedowns led the team.
Last year’s exemplary senior class, including five of the school’s highest-achieving wrestlers, was succeeded by an exemplary freshman class this year. Kade Loughney was named 1st Team All National Division (Morris County HS Wrestling), All-Conference – Honorable Mention. In addition to Metzler and Loughney, Christian Trimarchi and Taylor Parkinson-Gee were awarded varsity letters.
Sophomore letter winners were Caleb Isemann, Alex Kaltenhauser, Ben Yaskulka and Noah Yaskulka.
Mike Oros, David Migliaccio and Dylan Luciano – all Region 1 qualifiers – were junior class lettermen. In addition, Ben Piraneo won the JV Award, and Thomas Stoll was recognized for outstanding dedication to the team, despite season-ending injury.
Luciano has 77 career wins, already top-13 in school history and on pace to win over 100. He was named All-Conference, 2nd Team and 1st Team All-National Division.
Migliaccio – despite coming back from a devastating off-season injury – now has 75 career wins, already top-13 in school history and on pace to win over 100. He was also named All-Conference, 2nd Team and 3rd Team All-National Division.
Seniors Aldo Cammalleri, Nick Stanzione and Greg Ierokomos were awarded varsity letters, in addition to Windt and Schade. Anthony Rivera and Anthony Fallick were also recognized for their achievements and contributions.
The JV squad was 131-96 in matches on the year, a promising sign for the future. In addition to Piraneo – who won the WMC JV tournament and placed 2nd at Newton – Trimarchi and Noah Yaskulka were JV tournament winners before gaining varsity slots. Stanzione, Mike O’Rourke, Jake Congdon, Ryan Finlay, and Michael Brown won tournament medals, while Jack Dunn, Shea Owens, Louis Mautone, Austin Gast and Dylan Zindulka were also recognized.
Looking to next year, the team will lose seven seniors (including 3-4 starters) but will gain an outstanding incoming class likely to include Grade School League champion Matt Liberato, State Tournament place winners Ethan and Grayson Dolan, former state champion Trey Zgombic and 10-year veteran Marco Gaita. This extraordinary class also includes Billy Apostolico, Ian Carpenter, Michael Caso, Christopher Parisi, Thomas Pellegrino, Robert Rosen, Jacob Rutter, Adam Turrisi, Jonathan Vazquez and Matt Zgombic -- all expected to join the WMC ‘Pack.
