Campanaro Seizes Region Silver, Soaring Back to State Tournament

West Morris Central sophomore Michael Campanaro shut out Delbarton senior Thomas Fischer 7-0 Saturday, punching his ticket back to the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships. The WMC co-captain captured silver at the Region North-2 championship in Union, earning the chance to compete in Phillipsburg for the state’s preeminent podium placements.

“In the first period Fischer was close to scoring with a knee tap,” said Coach Ken Rossi from mat-side, “but Michael dumped him for the first takedown. Michael is very hard to beat when he scores first.”

“The key was just to put points on the board,” said Campanaro. “It didn’t matter who I had to wrestle – I needed to win that [semifinal] match to make it to next week.”

Last season Campanaro became the first WMC freshman to win at States, where he advanced from the first round to culminate arguably the greatest rookie season in team history. Now he returns, having soared through the so-called “Super Region” tournament.

Not prone to hyperbole, WMC’s Hall of Fame coach Rossi assessed, “Michael is capable of placing top-four this weekend and earning multiple medals during his career.”

Sad So Long to Strong Seasons

Fellow sophomore co-captain Malachi Shepard (132, 6-6) and junior Michael Ferrante’s (120, 7-3) outstanding seasons ended in the round-of-16. They’re both now two-time region qualifiers. Last season, Shepard also advanced to States.

Sophomore Michael Hare’s breakout season, culminating in an 11-seed selection for this tournament, was cut short by a concussion vs. Mendham – which Hare was somehow able to win in overtime. He was unable to wrestle Saturday, finishing 6-3 at 106, and ranked #38 in the state (RankWrestlers.com).

Sophomore Henry Frayne (220, 7-4) and freshman Sam Rizzuto’s (126, 6-5) strong seasons fell victim to pandemic-necessitated post-season changes. Selected to Regions but not seeded in the top-16, they weren’t given the chance to wrestle. In typical seasons, they’d compete at Districts for a chance to earn a wrestling spot at Regions – which is exactly what Frayne did in his breakout freshman year a season ago.

Campanaro expressed gratitude for his five fellow qualifiers. “It was heartbreaking they can’t be with me next week in Phillipsburg,” he said. “They worked hard all season. They pushed me in the room all year to get to where I am and prepare me for next week.”

These WMC Region Qualifiers should be the team’s returning hammers in 2021-22.

More on Campanaro’s Ascent

Before dominating Fischer, Campanaro topped Joe Aldrich 8-2, dropping the Somerville sophomore to 12-3. Fischer, 10-2, proved his mettle by wrestling back for bronze after his semifinals loss to Campanaro.

Campanaro fell 4-1 in the finals to Seton Hall Prep junior Joseph Sciarrone, who remained undefeated on the season. Sciarrone was the 2-seed despite being ranked eighth in NJ by RankWrestlers. The WMC sophomore nearly stuck Sciarrone in the second period, taking him to his back in a mad scramble, but ultimately no points were scored. Campanaro is now 11-4, and ranked #13.

“My plan for next week is to win that first match,” said Campanaro. “I need that win to stay in the tournament, and it puts me on the podium. My goal is to place next week, and that’s been the goal all year.”

An Unusual Season, and Hope for the Next

Ferrante’s outstanding junior season ended in heartbreaking fashion, eliminated by 4-seed James Day of Phillipsburg. Prior to the tournament seeding event, Ferrante was projected as a 5-seed by NJ.com at 113, where he wrestled all season, ranking #29 in NJ (RankWrestlers.com). NJ.com predicted he and Campanaro would be 5-seeds (which would be one shy of qualifying for States). But after swapping weights, Ferrante became the 13-seed at 120, and Campanaro the 113 top seed.

Ferrante led the team all year in rank, and finished #1 in pin percentage at 56% (followed by Frane). Currently eight of the top 22 ranked wrestlers at 120 will graduate, providing even more opportunity for Ferrante next season.

Shepard’s excellent season was ended by Saint Thomas Acquinas junior Kendall Jordan, by 10-4. The WMC sophomore finished the dual meet season with a vengeance, winning five of his final six bouts to qualify for Regions – including a pin over fellow Region qualifier Jared Lee of Warren Hills. At 132, 14 of the top 22 ranked wrestlers are currently seniors, so Shepard should ascend.

At Frayne’s weight, 17 of the top 22 wrestlers will graduate, making a breakout season more than possible.

In this Covid-abbreviated season, there were 25% fewer Region qualifiers overall (including alternates), and 50% fewer who actually got to wrestle at Regions (16 each for four Regions vs. the usual 16 each for eight Regions) – hence the popular 2021 designation “Super Regions.”

At the end of the day, half as many wrestlers qualified for States (16 vs. last year’s 32 per weight) – making Campanaro’s accomplishment twice as impressive. It also makes Ferrante, Shepard, Rizzuto and Frayne falling short twice as disappointing. Fortunately, all should get another chance next season.

“I am proud of these guys,” concluded Rossi. “They worked hard this season and it was a very bizarre experience and format this year. They were all resilient and competed at a high level.”

Local Wrestlers Advance

Local wrestlers joining Campanaro at States include Jack Bastarrika (106) of Mount Olive, the North 1 champ, and Chris Tringali (126) and Jack Bertha (132) of Mendham, both fourth at North 2.

Next Up

Campanaro will compete at the NJSIAA State Championship Tournament April 25-26 at Phillipsburg.

Contributing writer David Yaskulka’s day job is CEO of Nature’s Logic 100% Natural pet food. He’s also Board Chair of Greater Good Charities, and a Pet Sustainability Coalition Board member.