Bohr Shines, WMC Wrestling Stumbles To 1-2 At Mt. Olive Quad

By David Yaskulka

After outstanding tournament performances at X-Calibur and Goles, the West Morris Central wrestling Wolfpack stumbled at Saturday’s Mt. Olive quad, starting the dual meet season 1-2.

Robert Bohr (132 lbs., 5-1 record) went undefeated on the day with two pins. The senior state qualifier boosted his statewide ranking to No. 18 (RankWrestlers.com).

Michael Campanaro (106, 11-2), Michael Ferrante (113, 6-3), Eli Shepard (145, 8-2) and Kevin Ramos (HWT, 7-4) had solid days, each going 2-1.

“We told the team we were pleased with our performance but not satisfied,” said head Coach Ken Rossi. “We need to keep improving some basic techniques and strategies. I loved that we were aggressive in all three matches and tried to take control of the flow of the match. This competition will get us ready for the post-season.”

Colin Loughney (170, 7-3) had a heartbreaking quad, losing in overtime twice to fellow state qualifiers, before finishing the day by delivering a first period pin. He nonetheless maintained his status as the team’s highest-ranked wrestler at No. 14 in New Jersey.

“Those are the type of the matches that show you what you need to do to achieve your goals at the next level,” said Rossi, reflecting on Loughney, as well as on tough losses by Eli and Malachi Shepard. “They either break you or motivate you.”

Who else impressed Rossi?

“Ferrante was extremely aggressive yesterday and wrestled three hard matches. He used a nearside cradle late against Mount Olive, which was a key match for us to win. Bohr went 3-0 and had a nice win against Hammond.”

Chisari, Borgia, Battaglino and Ferrante Lead WMC Over Paramus 57-15

WMC defeated an undermanned Paramus squad with 10 wins in 14 bouts.

Pins from Nick Chisari (120, 4-6), Matt Borgia (152, 7-6), Bohr, Eli Shepard, Loughney, and Campanaro assured the win, along with two forfeits.

Senior novice wrestler and WMC football captain Mike Battaglino (195, 4-6) delivered a strong 10-3 victory.

Jorge Montenegro (220, 6-6) had the honor of falling to the state’s top 220 pounder Kyle Jacob, ranked No. 12 in the nation (FloWrestling).

Mt. Olive Pinfall Machine Tops WMC 45-23 Despite Ferrante, Bohr and Campanaro

The home team dominated its neighbor rival with six pins and a forfeit.

Ferrante upset No. 57 Seth Hagensen 4-3, and Malachi Shepard pinned Joshua McGill for a quick 9-0 Wolfpack lead.

David Ryerson fired up the home crowd with a pin for Mt. Olive, but the Wolfpack took two of the next three -- Bohr’s impressive 17-3 win over No. 48 Blaine Hammon, and Eli Shepard’s solid major over No. 74 Brian Bienus. That gave the Pack a 17-12 lead.

Then Mt. Olive went on a tear, with pins from Evan Perrault, Cameron Thorkildsen, Hunter Perez, Anthony Moscatello and Gavin Camoia, building an insurmountable lead. The string was interrupted only by the home team’s signature win, No. 12 Anthony Spera topping Loughney in overtime 3-2.

Wins from Ramos and Campanaro closed the scoring.

No. 4 Southern Brings the Hammers, Prevails 54-12

Bohr decked Nate Bischoff in the first period, and Montenegro prevailed by injury time. But that was all the scoring the Wolfpack could manage against the NJ powerhouse. Southern is No. 4 in NJ.com’s first team ranking of the season, bringing as many as 10 states-level starters to the quad.

Loughney and Eli Shepard lost heartbreaking 2-point decisions to Southern’s pair of No. 1 ranked wrestlers in the state, Robert Woodcock and Eddie Hummel respectively.

Malachi Shepard (126, 7-6) gave Jayson Scerbo, an Atlantic City Podium candidate at No. 9, a run for his money, falling 3-1.

Ramos’ only loss of the day was to No. 2 JT Cornelius. Freshmen Henry Frayne (182, 4-6) and Campanaro also fell to top-12 wrestlers.

Notes

Campanaro is the team’s early leader in wins and winning percentage despite one tough loss Saturday.

Sophomore Ricardo Guerrero (160) made his varsity dual meet debut, filling in for co-captain Nick Kaltenhauser.

Ferrante’s win vs. Mt. Olive was his most impressive of the young season. Bohr’s win was one of his most impressive as well, along with his Goles victory vs. Warren Hills’ Geir Nemeth.

Montenegro’s and Frayne’s losses were all against top-30 wrestlers.

Asked if there’s anyone whose record might be deceiving so far, Rossi said, “Records are hard to judge because of the difficulty of our schedule.” He’s right. For example, Montenegro has an even record, but is ranked in the top 12% of NJ’s 686 wrestlers at his weight.

Rossi recognized that “Malachi Shepard has a lot of upside and could go on a run of wins now or in the post season.”

Next Up

The team visits Montville 1/7 and powerhouse No. 2 Delbarton 1/9. The home opener is 1/11 vs. Hanover Park, then the team travels to Emerson 1/15, Roxbury 1/17, the Del Val tri 1/18, and returns home for No. 14 High Point 1/21. WMC visits No. 6 Pope John 1/23. Calendars are marked for Mendham @ WMC 1/28.

Photo credits

Laura Ferrante, Susan Hill