Robby, Eli, Colin, Justin, John and Luke Boardwalk Bound for WMC

By David Yaskulka

The West Morris Central Wolfpack advanced a team-record six grapplers to the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships. Robert Bohr, Eli Shepard and Justin LeMay were Region 3 finalists, taking silver, as Colin Loughney, John DeVito and Luke Stefanelli nabbed bronze in West Orange Saturday.

District 12 Coach of the Year Ken Rossi brings nearly half his lineup to compete in Atlantic City. They’ll face the best New Jersey high school wrestling has to offer.

LeMay is making his team record third trip to AC (tieing Shane Metzler). Bohr and DeVito return after qualifying last year. Seniors LeMay, DeVito and Stefanelli will finish their high school careers where every NJ high school dreams -- in storied Boardwalk Hall before thousands of screaming fans.

“It was one of the greatest feelings of my career,” exclaimed Shepard. “Having all of my hard work and sacrifice finally pay off was amazing.”

Shepard (28-7) topped Franco Bellomo and Cahil Love, Jr. to advance to the finals, where he was stopped by nationally-ranked Nick Raimo.

Bohr (20-14) returns to Atlantic City as a silver medalists, after taking fourth last year. “This year’s experience felt great, coming back to beat a good opponent.” After splitting two matches with Jack Bursese this season, Bohr was in control from start to finish, winning 5-1 before falling to nationally-ranked Anthony Clark in the finals.

“I’m also glad I get to do it with five of my teammates,” reflected Bohr.

Stefanelli (28-5) nearly qualified last season, but was injured at Regions.

“It feels extremely rewarding to finally be going to AC,” he said. “In the blood round [consolation semi-finals, where winners advance and losers go home] I just went out there and wrestled my match, I pushed the pace on my opponent and he broke which allowed me to secure the win.” Stefanelli topped Adonis May 7-1 to advance, and then won again for bronze.

Like all bronze medalists, DeVito (31-8) knew “after losing in semi-finals I had to bounce back fast with the blood round coming up fast. There was nothing I could do beside move on and make sure I qualified for States.”

He did that in dominating fashion, topping Hackettstown’s Zebulon Burke 16-1 to advance.

“Making it this year was just as exciting as last year,” said DeVito, “especially being able to do it with five teammates.”

Loughney (26-11) ended on top vs. Kevin Odorno 8-7 to advance, then topped Chris Ostir for bronze.

“After all the countless hours of hard work with my teammates it finally paid off,” said Loughney. “But my season is definitely not over yet.”

LeMay (29-5) fell to a controversial pin call in the finals, but didn’t blame officiating. “I’m not happy with my performance,” he said, “I am glad to be healthy and excited to head down with the team.” On Instagram, the senior promised “Not going to dwell on the past or previous losses, it’s a whole new level down in AC #freshstart.”

Hill, Lyden and Cherifi End Careers at Regions

A.J. Hill ended one of the strongest wrestling careers in WMC school history. He was a two-time Regional qualifier, four-time letter winner, two-time X-Calibur placer, a John Goles placer, and reached as high as top-35 in the state (RankWrestlers.com). His 49 career wins are top-40 all time for WMC, and he graduates as team captain (along with LeMay, DeVito and Stefanelli).

Jack Lyden waited nearly four years to crack the starting lineup, serving as a super-sub for Coach Rossi. But his dedication paid off, finally breaking through mid-season senior year, and proving he belonged by advancing to Regions, ranking top-100 (out of 435) in NJ.

“They are two of my best friends,” said LeMay. I’m just happy that I made great memories with both of them. They had awesome careers.”

It's been a pleasure wrestling with both of them over the years,” said Stefanelli, “especially AJ who has been such a big part of the program and a good friend for as long as I've wrestled. It's difficult to see their seasons end, but eventually wrestling ends -- and ending at the Regions is a big accomplishment.”

That big accomplishment may have been even bigger for Brian Cherifi, who wrestled for the first time ever this season as a senior. Not only did he crack the starting lineup, but remarkably, ranked top-100 and made it to Regions, where he got his final win (by fall).

Malachi, Matt and Kevin will Return

Freshman Malachi Shepard and juniors Matt Borgia and Kevin Ramos will join Bohr, Eli Shepard, Loughney as next season’s returning Regional qualifiers.

The freshman Shepard placed sixth, and came within a match of qualifying for States -- the strongest freshman performance in recent Region history. He was tied for third in the tournament in seed-place difference (exceeding expectations).

“I'm really proud of Malachi,” said his brother Eli. “It's not easy wrestling varsity as a freshman and I'm proud of how far he went.”

WMC Region History

Last season Marco Gaita won his second consecutive Regional championship. Mike Caso took silver, as LeMay, DeVito and Bohr advanced with fourth place finishes. They set a short-lived school record by advancing five to States.

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

Next Up

The NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships are February 28-30 in Atlantic City.

“I'm excited for a fun week of wrestling with my friends!” concluded DeVito.

Photo Credits

Susan Hill, Mollissa LeMay, and Margaret Stefanelli.