‘Pack of 6 Wrestlers Picked for Regions as “Michaels” Menace

Six Wolfpack wrestlers were selected for North 2 Regions Sunday: Michael Hare, Michael Campanaro, Michael Ferrante, Sam Rizzuto, Malachi Shepard and Henry Frayne. Seeding was not determined at press time. The top 16 seeds will wrestle this weekend to earn a place at the NJSIAA State Championship; the rest become alternates.

The team’s menacing “Michaels” went 7-0 on the week, with Ferrante (120 lbs., 7-2 record, #29 by RankWrestlers.com) and Campanaro (113, 8-3, #33) each going 3-0, and Hare (106, 6-3, #32) 1-0. Rizzuto (138, 6-5), Shepard (132, 6-5, #61) and Frayne (220, 7-4, #83) each won twice as West Morris Central wrestlers continued to excel on the mat.

WMC doubled up this week’s opponents by a combined 66-33 team points, but lost to Warren Hills, Mendham and Morris Knolls due to forfeits. The Wolfpack fell to 0-11 on the season, forfeiting at least six weight classes (36 points) from 145 – 195 lbs. each match.

“The coaches are really happy with the way we are wrestling right now,” said Coach Ken Rossi. “We always strive to peak at the end of the season and the boys ready are eager to compete in the post season.”

“If you spend time around wrestling long enough like me you learn that rankings and seeding don't matter when the whistle blows,” reflected Rossi. “You have to believe in yourself and your training and that anything is possible. I think any of our boys seeded int the top 16 can get out.

“Campanaro will probably get the highest seed out of our boys. He is wrestling at a high caliber right now and is going to make some noise at Regions and the state tournament.”

Shepard Pins District Champ as Campanaro, Ferrante and Rizzuto Win at Warren Hills

Shepard pinned District 12 champion Jared Lee at 3:25. Campanaro prevailed over one of Warren Hills’ best, #56 ranked Kevin Riedlinger in a dramatic 4-3 bout.

Rizzuto got taken down and put to his back by Maximum Pagano, a top-100 wrestler. But the WMC freshman escaped, front headlocked Pagano, locked the cradle and pinned him at 2:00 minutes – one of Rossi’s highlights of the week.

Ferrante rounded out Wolfpack scoring with a solid 8-4 decision

In the end, Warren Hills dropped the Pack to 0-11 with a 49-18 victory 4/10. WMC won four of the seven bouts wrestled, outscoring WH 18-13 on the mat (aside from its 36 points from forfeits).

The Blue Streaks remained formidable at the heaviest weights, led by undefeated duo sophomore Jarrett Pantuso (220, #56) and junior Tyler McCatharn (HWT, #10).

Reflecting on a season unlike any other, Rossi said “after the match Coach, Mike Flammer brought us Krispy Kreme donuts. The boys and coaches ate the donuts and laughed, for a few minutes life and wrestling felt normal.”

Frayne Signature Win, Campanaro Conquest Lead WMC Vs. Morris Knolls

Facing one of MK’s best, #57 ranked senior Kevin Walter, Frayne delivered perhaps the signature win of his young career with a dramatic pinfall as the clock ticked down the last seconds of the first period.

“Frayne hit a Peterson tonight (4/9) and pinned the kid,” reported WMC Parent Club President Michael Campanaro from mat side. “For a kid who normally lives off the head lock and hits a move he never goes for, leading to a pin, was quite exciting to see!”

Campanaro dominated one of MK’s best, #51 ranked Lenny Cocca, with a 15-2 major decision. Ferrante pinned a solid fellow junior in 3:05.

Rizzuto pinned his second consecutive opponent, adding six for the team with a first period pin to pad his excellent freshman resume.

Dean Muttart and Kevin Moore accepted rare forfeits for the Pack, rounding out the scoring. MK won 45-34, despite WMC winning 22-3 in contested team points. Only #56 ranked senior Shane Perry won for MK, edging Shepard in a grueling faceoff of top wrestlers.

“Michaels,” Malachi and Henry Deliver in Loss to Mendham

Mendham’s 53-26 victory 4/7 over WMC had little of the drama typical of the arch rivalry due to six consecutive forfeits (36 points). Of the eight bouts wrestled, WMC won five, highlighted by Hare’s overtime, sudden victory takedown of fellow top-100 wrestler Blaise Pasquire, 10-8.

Campanaro blitzkrieged his way to a 22 second pin. Ferrante and Frayne also delivered first period falls, as Shepard scored early and often for a 21-5 tech fall.

The Wolfpack outscored Mendham 26-17 in bouts wrestled.

For the Minutemen, Chris Tringali (126, 9-2, #22), Jack Bertha (132, 8-3, #51) and Josh Herrmann (HWT, 9-2, #58) prevailed.

Next Up

Region tournaments are scheduled for April 17-18. Top four placers will advance to the NJSIAA State Championship Tournament April 25-26 at Phillipsburg.

Photos by Laura Ferrante.

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.