Wrestling Celebrates Hill for Lifting Team Beyond Long Valley

By David Yaskulka

“Jeff Hill helped revamp our wrestling room and our culture,” said West Morris High School wrestling coach Ken Rossi. The wrestling parents’ club president and former youth program leader “graduated” from the program along with his son AJ’s exemplary class of seniors.

Senior captains Luke Stefanelli, John DeVito, Justin LeMay and AJ Hill were among those celebrated at Black Hill Golf Club Thursday (3/14), where Jeff Hill made his final appearance as master of ceremonies.

As a parent of former youth and high school wrestlers, this writer is among hundreds who can testify to Hill’s tremendously positive – for many, transformative -- impact on Long Valley wrestling youth.

“Every successful public high school wrestling program has a strong leader at the youth level,” said Rossi, the district coach of the year. “Jeff has been the foundation of our youth and high school program since I have been the head coach. He has excellent vision. It has been a pleasure to work with him and the rest of the parents of this senior class.”

Hill helped lift the program out of our valley – literally and figuratively – to prestigious tournaments from Virginia Beach, to Atlantic City and beyond. Again, wrestling coaches voted WMC top-25 in NJ.

Mollissa LeMay said “one of Jeff’s biggest contributions was promoting and supporting the youth program, which we feel developed the wrestling culture in this town.” She, along with Susan Hill, Margaret Stefanelli and Phil Lyden were thanked for their leadership by Rossi and Hill.

Rossi thanked many in the community, including coaches Jim Balella, Tom Borgia and Chris Marold.

Hill, whose day job is helping lead a cloud-based service management tech company, said “It was bitter sweet to see AJ graduate from the WMC wrestling program, but I couldn’t be prouder of him, especially in light of some of the challenges he’s pushed through. I’m exceedingly grateful for the influence Coach Rossi and his staff have had on him. I’m equally proud of the program this parent group has helped build over 18 years; it’s been both fun and exhausting, and we look forward to seeing the next group write the next chapter in Wolfpack wrestling.”

Rossi called AJ “an outstanding captain who led by his actions all season,” citing his come from behind pin against Pope John as sparking the team’s biggest win of the year.

“At first my dad just found Long Valley Wrestling as a way to stay in the sport and coach the clinic team,” said AJ, “As I became more involved, he did too. He and Coach Rossi developed a great relationship which really impacted the outcome of not only Long Valley Wrestling but WMC wrestling as well. Wrestling has always intrigued my dad because he likes how kids who were not tall enough for the basketball team or big enough for the football team were able to find a sport where size really doesn't matter. I think through collaborating with other parents and coaches in the program, my dad and plenty of others have created a bond through the sport of wrestling that has created many memories and more importantly a program that will continue.”

Before and After

In the decade before Hill took over the youth wrestling program, WMC had eight district champs, one region champ, six state qualifiers, and two state medalists. In this most recent decade, WMC has had 20 district champs, six region champs, 20 state qualifiers (including a record six this year), and seven state medalists.

Awards

The Blue & Gray Award was given to two-time state qualifier and Goles champion DeVito (32-10, 160), a Wilkes commit. Rossi cited his “work ethic, character, and outstanding career.” His 78 wins rank 19th in school history.

The Coach’s Award was given to district champ and state qualifier Eli Shepard (29-9, 132). Rossi recognized the junior’s “hunger to accomplish his goals, tireless work-ethic, strong character, and academic excellence.”

LeMay was the team MVP and Cholish Family Scholarship winner. The two-year captain and three-time state qualifier placed 7th in New Jersey to cap a 110-44 career record. LeMay (33-7, 152) plans to wrestle at Maryland. Rossi cited “how he handled adversity all season and the influence he had on our program” as well as his “excellence on and off the mat.”

Nick Kaltenhauser, regaled in a fur coat, bolo and sunglasses, accepted the JV award after a dominant 14-2 season with two tournament championships. He’s placed at the X-Calibur tournament at the varsity level, and figures to be a key starter next season.

High School’s Toughest Letter

Stefanelli and Jack Lyden joined LeMay as four-time winners of sports’ toughest letter.

Stefanelli (28-7, 182) capped a brilliant career, qualifying for the State Championships and amassing 73 career wins, 21st most all-time at WMC.

Lyden (13-9, 195) spent much of his career as Rossi’s “secret weapon” – coming in for key victories, including nine first-period pins this year. He graduates as a Regional Qualifier.

Senior starters Dan Kern and Brian Cherifi received their first letters, contributing headline-grabbing wins for the team.

Senior letter winners Adrian Hefner (second letter), Jayden Melicharek, Tyler Torner and Zach Miller were important contributors to the team.

State qualifiers Colin Loughney, Robert Bohr and Eli Shepard won their third letters.. Regional qualifier Kevin Ramos and Jorge Montenegro won their second. Starters Michael Ferrante, Nick Chisari, and regional qualifiers Matt Borgia and Malachi Shepard all won their first.

Deceptive Records

Rossi spoke more than once about the “deceptive” won-loss records of his wrestlers due to strength of competition. In fact, based on RankWrestlers.com data, wrestlers with modest looking records such as Ferrante (16-16) and Malachi Shepard (16-19) ranked top-25% in NJ. Kern (6-19) ranks top 40%.

And the runner up is…

LeMay led the team in most categories – wins, pins, techs, majors, points for, take downs, net take downs, near falls, and an especially impressive 95 dual meet team points vs. zero for opponents. Eli tied LeMay in majors, and followed with 70 net team points.

On this team, being the runner up is impressive. They are: for wins: DeVito, followed by Eli; tech falls: DeVito and Loughney; pins: Hill, then Lyden; take downs: Stefanelli then Loughney; net take downs: Stefanelli, then Eli; near falls: DeVito, then Eli.

Stefanelli and Eli led in decisions. Ferrante led in reversals (followed by Eli), and Loughney was the master of escapes (then DeVito).

Statisticians and photographers

Team statisticians, led by seniors Julia Pirrello, Bella Trimarchi and Micaela Shepard were thanked and recognized, along with Jordyn LeMay and Kelly Kaltenhauser. Without them – and without extraordinary team photographers Susan Hill, Mollissa LeMay, Margaret Stefanelli and JoAnn Vazquez, these wrestling articles would not be possible.