Loughney, Shepard Lift WMC Atop NJ X-Calibur Competition

By David Yaskulka

West Morris Central nabbed bronze at this weekend’s grueling Myhouse X-Calibur tournament in Wilkes-Barre, PA behind eight individual medalists.

Wolfpack senior hammers Colin Loughney (170 lbs.) and Eli Shepard (138) attained silver. Freshman Michael Campanaro (106) was the breakout star. He nabbed bronze, as did senior Kevin Ramos (HWT).

The Wolfpack led all teams from New Jersey, including Bound Brook, Paramus Catholic, and Blair Academy B. Pennsylvania prep powerhouse Wyoming Seminary dominated the event with 390.5 team points, followed by Quakertown’s 200.5 and WMC’s 139 in the 21-team event.

Senior Jorge Montenegro (220) improved on last season’s breakout eighth place performance by finishing fifth.

Sophomore Malachi Shepard (120) placed sixth, senior Matthew Borgia (152) seventh, and freshman Dean Muttart’s (113) outstanding debut tournament ended on the podium at eighth.

Campanaro lost his first-ever WMC bout 8-2 to Troy’s Seth Seymour. But then Long Valley’s third-ever NJGSWL champ stormed through wrestlebacks, shutting out three consecutive opponents, pinning the five-seed in 36 seconds, and then avenging his only loss by blanking Seymour 6-0.

“Campanaro really gained confidence and built momentum with each match,” said Rossi, finishing the day with a dominating 14-1 victory in wrestleback finals for third place.

“We were pleased with our performance because the boys overcame a bad first round and wrestled very hard in the wrestlebacks,” said Coach Ken Rossi. “The wrestlebacks were the story of this competition for us. We had every guy wrestling in the round to medal because of a stellar round prior to the blood round. “

“Shepard and Loughney both looked sharp in the first three rounds and ran into tough Wyoming Seminary guys in the finals. That is why we attend this tournament because we gain exposure to nationally ranked wrestlers,” explained Rossi.

Shepard’s lone loss was to the nation’s #1 ranked 138 pounder, Seminary’s Beau Bartlett.

“I think our team started off nervous, not used to the environment with such a young team,” said Loughney, “but we were able to rally together and take 3rd in the team race.”

What stood out for the senior state qualifier?

“Michael Campanaro. He lost his first match of the tournament and wrestled all the way back to place 3rd.

“Also, Mike Battaglino (195) impressed me,” noted Loughney, referring to the senior football captain and novice wrestler who earned a starting varsity nod. “This tournament was his first. He showed his ability to hang with quality wrestlers. Minor adjustments will result in big wins for him.”

Battaglino had two narrow losses to top-5 seeded wrestlers, and pinned his only un-seeded opponent in 25 seconds for his first varsity win.

Loughney’s favorite moments of the tournament were “seeing my teammates win close matches and being able to congratulate them as they walked off the mat.”

“I felt great about the team's performance today,” said Ramos. “We had a lot of guys place and it was great to win 3rd as a team considering the tough competition.

“I really wanted to stand on the podium. So even though I have lots of things to improve on, I am happy with how I did.” Ramos toppled the tournament’s top seed along the way.

“Ramos utilized his conditioning to outlast many of the heavyweights and this held true in the consolation finals,” said Rossi. “Ramos scored a late takedown and pinned his exhausted opponent” for bronze.

Campanaro wasn’t the only freshman standout. Muttart’s first two wins yielded a podium spot in his first tournament. Michael Hare (106) nabbed his first two varsity wins. Henry Frayne (182) scored his first win by fall. Sophomore Kevin Moore (HWT) made his varsity debut.

Michael Ferrante (113), Nick Chisari (120), and Nick Kaltenhauser (160) contributed wins for the Pack.

Last year WMC placed fourth, as Seminary and NJ #1 team Bergen Catholic dominated. Montenegro and then-freshman Michael Ferrante were break out performers, each going 3-3 for eighth place. Montenegro, had just started wrestling late the prior season. The 2018-19 Wolfpack was led by fourth-place finishers Robby Bohr (who was unavailable to wrestle this weekend), Eli Shepard and John DeVito; fifth placer A.J. Hill, and Justin LeMay who settled for sixth after being injured.

“We have a lot to work on, but we have some good battles under our belts now,” concluded Rossi.

Next Up

The John Goles holiday tournament is at Warren Hills 12/27. The team wrestles Southern, Paramus and home team Mt. Olive 1/4, visits Montville 1/7 and powerhouse Delbarton 1/9. The home opener is 1/11 vs. state ranked Hanover Park.

Photo

(LtoR): Campanaro, M. Shepard, E. Shepard, Borgia, Loughney, Montenegro, Ramos. Missing: Muttart.