Five Champs Lead WMC to First District Wrestling Crown

By David Yaskulka

Robert Bohr, Eli Shepard, Colin Loughney, Justin LeMay and Luke Stefanelli won District 12 championships, leading the West Morris Central Wolfpack to its first ever team title.

Coach Ken Rossi won Coach of the Year, and LeMay Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament held at Becton High School Saturday. LeMay and Stefanelli are repeat champions.

“Winning the District was one of our goals and I am elated for our team,” said Rossi. The boys have been resilient all season and our coaches are extremely proud of them.”

John DeVito, Brian Cherifi and Kevin Ramos -- facing highly ranked opponents -- won silver, as bronze medals from Malachi Shepard, Matt Borgia, A.J. Hill and Jack Lyden accounted for 12 Region qualifiers -- tieing the all-time team record set last year.

Bohr, Shepard, Loughney, LeMay and Stefanelli Glitter with Gold

Bohr, who took bronze last year won 3-2 to give WMC its first crown.

The returning state qualifier struck a common chord among his teammates, saying “the feeling of winning a district title was exciting but my goal is to win matches in Atlantic City,” site of the NJSIAA State Championship tournament.

Eli Shepard, who took silver last year, quipped, “I'm just happy to say that Malachi's name is no longer on the wall of champions more than mine is,” referring to his brother’s youth championship. But it was Eli’s serious training that enabled him to dominate this year’s finals 8-1.

“By wrestling over 80 matches this offseason and competing in some of the biggest tournaments in the country, it gave me the experience that I needed to make major jumps and win big matches,” said the junior.

Loughney made it to the finals last year, but ended his season with an injury. This time he dominated 13-3, saying, “Once I scored first, I was able to open up and score 11 more points by the time the final whistle blew. It felt good to not only win, but win alongside my teammates.”

Loughney scored more points than any wrestler in the tournament. Eli and Malachi Shepard were third and fifth respectively.

LeMay pinned every District opponent for the second consecutive year. Last year it was three falls in under two minutes combined. This year, he pushed each bout to a 14 point lead before applying the pin. That domination, and his perseverance through injury, led to the OW award.

“I have a goal that I want to achieve and injuries will be the last thing to stop it,” said LeMay. That goals is “advancing as many guys as we can to AC and being on top of that podium.”

Stefanelli bested a physically imposing opponent 3-2, saying “My teammates have all worked extremely hard over the season and we came in with the goal of winning a team title, so I'm very proud of my entire team. My goal now is to make it to Atlantic City.”

DeVito, Cherifi and Ramos Reach Finals

The day’s most anticipated bout was a rematch of last year’s Region 3 blood round dramatic come-from-behind DeVito win over West Orange’s Colin Morgan, ranked just above DeVito in the top-15 of the state. This time Morgan prevailed.

Cherifi’s remarkable first-ever wrestling season now includes becoming a District Finalist. He fell to a top-15 wrestler.

Ramos, who achieved that same remarkable feat in his first season last year, and won silver again this time.

Malachi Shepard, Borgia, Hill and Lyden Advance

Malachi Shepard’s excellent freshman year continues to Regions as the lowest-seeded wrestler to advance.

Borgia was all smiles after also upsetting a higher-seeded wrestler to advance.

Lyden’s path to bronze is compelling. For nearly two seasons, he may have been the best wrestler on the team that couldn't crack the starting lineup -- and then showing his mettle by advancing in his first postseason tournament.

Hill reflected on all of his teammates’ hard work, saying, “The key to our success is that we have trained all season for these individual tournaments and now everyone is able to prove what they can do.”

Solid Seasons for Ferrante and Kern

Michael Ferrante and Dan Kern concluded solid seasons at opposite ends of their wrestling careers. Senior Kern beat the odds to start for the Pack after two seasons away from the sport, delivering huge pins in WMC’s first two duals -- and two more in the team’s final two duals.

Ferrante came a controversial call short of reaching Regions Saturday -- twice. In a rock solid freshman season, he showed an uncanny ability to deliver wins against top teams, including North Hunterdon, Southern, Delbarton, Hanover Park and West Essex.

Rossi District 12 Coach of the Year

“I'm flattered to win the award,” said Rossi. I am am surrounded by outstanding assistant coaches, excellent youth coaches, and a tremendously supportive parents club that have all developed our wrestlers over the last 15 years. This award is a reflection of those individuals and that development process as much as my effort.”

LeMay said “I am happy for my coach. He definitely deserves it.”

WMC Districts History

Last season, a record Pack of 12 advanced from Districts to Regions, highlighted by championships from Robert Rosen, Marco Gaita, LeMay and Stefanelli. Loughney, Eli Shepard, Hill, DeVito and Ramos nabbed silver as Bohr and Jonathan Vazquez took bronze. WMC placed second as a team behind Hanover Park.

In 2017, Gaita was champion, as eight advanced for the Wolfpack. Rossi was honored as District 11 Coach of the Year, and Chris Marold as Assistant Coach of the Year. LeMay, Kade Loughney, Christian Trimarchi, Rosen and Shane Metzler won silver, as Mike Caso and Eli Shepard took third.

In 2016, Metzler and Kade Loughney were champs, as just five advanced to Regions, including Caleb Isemann and Alex Kaltenhauser’s silver, and Gaita’s bronze.

Other recent District champions include Dylan Luciano and Metzler (2015), Jesse Windt (2013-14), Cory Fleming (2013), Nick Matthews (2011-12), Herbie Skinner (2010) and Dillon Landi (2006).

Only Gaita (2017-18), Metzler (2015-16), Windt (2014) and Landi (2006) have been crowned Region Champions this century.

Photo Credits

Susan Hill, Mollissa LeMay, and Margaret Stefanelli.