Shepard Shines in Devastating Draw, Campanaro Sets New Bar

By David Yaskulka

Eli Shepard defeated fellow state qualifier Darren Jones 7-0, giving the underdog Wolfpack a 9-0 lead in the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 Tournament semifinals 2/12 vs. West Essex.

But after 14 grueling bouts, the teams knotted at 30 points, referees huddled.

Criterion after criterion, the teams were tied. All three penalty criteria: no points for either side. Number of match wins: seven each, including Shepard, Michael Hare, Michael Campanaro, Robert Bohr, Matt Borgia, Colin Loughney and Kevin Ramos for the Pack.

Falls and defaults: twelve points each, WMC’s pins from Bohr and Borgia (vs. a 15-win opponent). Tech falls? Five points each, Loughney’s for WMC. Majors? Four points each -- Campanaro dominated a 21-win opponent 11-3.

Least number of forfeits? Zero each, thanks to courageous sophomore Kevin Moore taking one for the team vs. NJ’s No. 1 ranked HWT Bardhyl Gashi.

But down at criterion I -- the “greater number (total match points) of first point(s)” -- the Knights prevailed 14-13.

“Anytime you lose a tie match it is gut-wrenching, let alone on criteria I,” said Coach Ken Rossi. At the same time, we wrestled incredibly tough and the team and the coaches are proud of our effort. We emphasize that you have to leave it on the mat for your teammates and that is what we did.”

Rossi praised the performance of his senior leadership, noting Shepard’s win and Bohr and Borgia’s pins.

Campanaro Sets Freshman Win Record as WMC Manhandles Middlesex

Campanaro set the all-time WMC freshman win record Saturday, starting the match by defeating Middlesex’ best wrestler 3-1. It was his 30th win, topping Shane Metzler and John Sickles’ 29, Dylan Luciano’s 28, and Nick Matthews’ 25 rookie victories. They all finished with over 100 wins for the Pack.

“Records are set to be broken,” texted Metzler, now wrestling for Rutgers. “Campanaro is creating his own legacy at West Morris, and it’s exciting to watch.”

“Campanaro is a gifted athlete with a solid work ethic,” chimed in Rossi. “He has been dedicated to wrestling from an early age and his commitment shows each time he takes the mat. He has a very high ceiling.”

“Keep breaking records, Michael!” cheered Metzler.

Campanaro expressed respect for the historic company, but asserted “The goal for the season is to place at states, and I know it’s possible.”

WMC prevailed 56-15 on the strength of pins from Ramos, Michael Ferrante and Mike Battaglino; tech falls from Nick Chisari and Bohr; a major from Nick Kaltenhauser; and a solid win from Eli Shepard.

WMC Dominates 60-11 Behind Malachi, Ramos, Borgia, Frayne, Battaglino

The Wolfpack nailed Woodbridge with eight pins, from Campanaro, Malachi and Eli Shepard, Borgia, Frayne, Loughney, Battaglino and Jorge Montenegro. Ramos took down their top wrestler, Bohr won, and Malachi’s pin was vs. their second highest ranked wrestler.

More on West Essex Heartbreaker

Shepard’s epic victory snapped a 22-bout winning streak for Jones (29-3) and gave the Knight his most lopsided loss of the season. One Facebook observer said Shepard had him in a cradle for 60 seconds in the third period. The two hammers could meet again in Atlantic City.

West Essex brought nine top-65 wrestlers, with Shepard topping No. 19 and Campanaro majoring No. 65. Borgia, Loughney and Hare all beat top-130 wrestlers (RankWresters.com).

Four of West Essex’s best wrestlers combined for only four bonus points thanks to valiant efforts from Battaglino, Montenegro, Chisari and Malachi Shepard.

West Essex went on to win the sectional title, and make it all the way to the Group finals, falling to Montville.

This was the Wolfpack’s third one-point loss of the season, and second loss on tie-breaking criteria. The team is now 9-11, with losses coming to No. 1 Delbarton, No. 3 North Hunterdon, No. 7 Southern, No. 13 High Point, No. 15 Pope John, No. 17 Montville, No. 18 Mt. Olive, No. 19 West Essex, Del Val, Kittatinny and Mendham (NJ.com).

Bohr’s Big Pin is Exclamation Point for WMC 71-6 Beat Down, as Guerrero and Chisari Deliver

Wolfpack wrestlers dominated an under-manned squad from historic Columbia High School Friday night, 71-6. After a seven-second pin from Campanaro, a 47-second pin from Ferrante, a hard-fought 7-5 victory for Chisari, and a Malachi Shepard tech fall, Columbia sent its very best wrestler to the mat.

Unfortunately for Cahil Love, Jr., ranked No. 27 at 24-2, Coach Rossi sent out Bohr, who delivered a devastating 60-second pinfall for the Pack. Ultimately, the Cardinals’ second-best wrestler Tyson Carroll would deliver all of the scoring for Columbia with a pin.

Omero Guerrero picked up his first Wolfpack win in impressive fashion with a pin. Eli Shepard also delivered a pin, as Montenegro closed out the scoring for WMC, which ran up the score with 24 points from forfeits.

Columbia, a prestigious school with roots tracing back before the Revolutionary War, is best known for chess, robotics, theater (with multiple Academy award-recognized alumni) and the invention of Ultimate Frisbee.

Alumni Notes, thanks to RankWrestlers.com

Based on RankWrestlers.com’s algorithmic rankings, as of 2/13:

NJ State place winner Marco Gaita is 27-4 as a sophomore at prestigious Wesleyan University, and at No. 14 is the school’s highest ranked wrestler.

NYU sophomore Kade Steck-Loughney, third on WMC’s all-time wins list, is 19-10, No. 37 in the nation.

WMC state qualifier John DeVito is 24-10 for Wilkes, and is the team’s third highest-ranked wrestler at No. 72.

The Wolfpack’s all-time pins leader Luciano is 12-7 as a Centenary junior, with the fourth-highest ranking for the Hackettstown based squad.

And in the other universe world of D1 wrestling, Metzler is ranked just above Rutgers’ #1 recruit Joe Aragona at No. 79, and state place winner Justin LeMay is redshirting for Maryland and has seen limited action so far due to injury.

Next Up

The individual post season starts 2/22 with the District 12 Championships @ Becton. Top three placers in advance to Region 3, 2/26, 2/28-29 at West Orange. The top four there advance to the NJSIAA State Championships in Atlantic City 3/5-7 in storied Boardwalk Hall.

Credits

Contributing writer David Yaskulka was inspired by his wrestling sons to live out his high school dream of being a sportswriter. He’s also the CEO of Nature’s Logic 100% natural pet food, based in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Photos by Laura Ferrante.