Boom! Borgia Brandishes Boardwalk Medal at NJ Wrestling Championship

3/9/25

By David Yaskulka
Photos from Jen Sheppard, Sheryl Reed

Tommy Borgia’s dreamt of this moment since he was little. Well, some say he was never little.

The imposing West Morris Central heavyweight wrestler won his first state championship medal, placing seventh at the NJSIAA / IBEW Local 102 State Wrestling tournament in historic Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City this weekend (Mar. 6-8).

“Getting on that podium in AC has been a goal since I first understood the meaning of placing at States, and how incredibly talented the people who place are,” he said.

“With my dad being a coach, I was fortunate to meet some amazing high school wrestlers in my youth. I wanted to be just like them.”

In his fourth match, Borgia secured his spot on the podium in dominant fashion, pinning #10-ranked Matt Smith from Rumson-Fair Haven in the first period. Borgia took Smith down within seconds, rode him, then caught his arm for the turn and first period pinfall.

Borgia embraced head coach Chris Marold and coach Tom Nicoliccia after his victory, and then jumped into the arms of coach Tom Borgia, in the front row of the stands.

“I had flashbacks to bringing him to practice as a two year old,” said coach Borgia, who stayed out of his son’s corner at States to “just be a dad.”

“I thought of the countless hours of work he put in over the years . It was just pure happiness to see him achieve a goal he set as a kid. If he never won a match I would be proud of him, but to achieve what he has blows my mind, and he’s still a level headed gentleman. Both my kids [including Wolfpack District finalist Michael] are truly a blessing from god. The success is a product of coach Marold, his club work, and work ethic.”

In the arena, multiple announcements were made thanking IBEW Local 102, whose mission is to promote safe working conditions and improve the lives of its members, for supporting NJ high school wrestling as the post-season sponsor.

Neill Nabs Second States Appearance

WMC sophomore Brody Neill fell short of his quest for an unprecedented two state medals in his first two years. Neill ascended the legendary podium last season, winning the 7th place medal as a freshman.

Neill began the tournament with a wild 17-11 victory over Warren Hills senior Charlie Piccione (33-5), but then fell in successive matches to both McGinty cousins, returning state finalist Johnathon (32-5) in pre-quarters, and then (in a rematch) to James (33-5) by 15-7 in WB2 (the second round of wrestlebacks). Johnathan, ranked #15 nationally (Sports Illustrated), finished second again, with James finishing eighth.

Neill pinned James McGinty in the Morris County Tournament finals on January 25 when Neill became just the 14th County Champion in school history. With the score tied 3-3 well into the third period, Neill reversed McGinty and took the Parsippany Hills senior to his back for the pin with 19 seconds to spare. Neill had the most pins (4) and team points (32) of any of MCT’s 263 wrestlers.

The Round of Blood

At States, two-time Region 3 champion Borgia picked up where he left off, dominating his first two bouts, then lost to the now two-time champ Rocco Delagatta.

That dropped Borgia to WB4, the pivotal “blood round” where winners are assured a medal, and losers’ seasons are ended.

“My most meaningful win was definitely the blood round match,” said Borgia, who had no doubts about the outcome.

“I knew I had it locked up as soon as the whistle blew. I knew as long as I was able to get attacks I would be able to dominate. And that’s what I did.”

“Winning that match was surreal and it was finally the moment I accomplished a life long goal.”

Video after blood round win.

Win the Last Match

Of the 32 States competitors at each weight, only four end their seasons with a win.

After defeating Smith in the blood round, Borgia lost in WB5 to Toms River East senior state medalist James Lynch (38-5), the four-seed. He pinned Borgia in the third period, using an approach similar to Delagatta’s, waiting and scoring off of Borgia’s attacks.

That dropped Borgia to the medal round, the last bout of his historic season. Borgia faced Ocean City senior seven-seed Clifford Dirkes (36-5). Borgia dominated with his second major victory of the tournament, 9-1, as a contingency of Wolfpack faithful cheered from the front rows.

Borgia was the aggressor, neutralizing any initiative at all from Dirkes. Borgia got in on the leg, lifted, scored, and then scored again with back points for a 5-0 lead. Choosing defense in the third, Borgia escaped, attacked for another takedown, and cut Dirkes to complete the season’s scoring, securing the win and the seventh place medal. Borgia embraced Marold and Nicolicchia as they walked off the mat together for the last time in 2024-25.

Prelims, Pre-Quarters and Quarterfinals

In his first match (prelims/round of 32), Borgia made quick work of Seneca junior Patrick Degnan (33-5), ranked #14 in NJ. Borgia took Degnan down within seconds, taking him straight to his back at the edge. Degnan was on his back for 39 seconds, and the ref called the pinfall at 0:51.

Borgia remained in full control in his second match (pre-quarters, round of 16) against St. Peters prep senior Connor Reynolds (31-7). Borgia took him down in 23 seconds. Choosing defense to start the second, the WMC co-captain scored a quick reversal.

Reynolds was tough to turn, and Borgia wrestled cautiously (drawing a stall warning) while riding out the period. The final period’s script was similar, with Borgia choosing neutral to start, taking Reynolds down within seconds, and staying comfortably in control for a dominant 8-0 major shutout.

In his third match (quarterfinals), Borgia faced defending champ Delagatta, and the Saint John Vianney senior showed why Sports Illustrated ranks him #2 in the nation. Tommy was the aggressor, but Delagatta turned Borgia’s offense to his own advantage, scoring four takedowns before securing the pin at 2:48.

Borgia Lessons and Records

Borgia was 4-2 at States, with four bonus-point victories – two pins and two major decisions.

Last season, when Borgia won the Morris Knolls Tournament as a sophomore, coaches were surprised to notice it was Borgia’s first high school tournament gold – despite his dominant freshman year (going 34-9 and qualifying for States).

This season – after topping the podium at Knolls, Goles, County, District and Region – Borgia climbed the Atlantic City podium, too.

“The past two years falling short of the podium, I have learned some very valuable lessons on those AC mats. The most important one is that you can’t make the moment bigger than it is. The past two years my eyes got a little wide when I stepped on the mat, and I knew that could not happen again. I know I just needed to treat it just like any other match, and nothing changed just because of the location we are wrestling in. That was the biggest factor that changed for me and I will bring back to the team.”

“I would like to thank coach Nic, coach Marold for all they do on a day to day basis. And most importantly my family, mom, dad, brother and all my extended family that comes and watches me compete no matter where it is. They are the reason I’m able to do what I do.”

Unofficially, Tommy's Atlantic City run allowed him to tie his friend and co-captain Mark Montuore for the most pins in WMC history with 68, and tied for the fifth most wins with 113.

Borgia’s four wins at States surpassed Justin LeMay and Brandon Carcuffe (110), Dylan Luciano (111), Kade Loughney (112), and tied Montuore (113). Of course, Borgia has another season in which to fully re-write the WMC record books with Shane Metzler (144), Nick Matthews (131), Marco Gaita (124) and Michael Campanaro (117) within reach.

But for a single season, Borgia’s 2024-25 stands on its own for most wins in school history with 42, and most pins with 33. While Borgia had set the single-season pin record before States, in Atlantic City his wins surpassed Jesse Windt (39-3), Metzler (39-5), Dillon Landi (40-3), Gaita (41-4), Brandon Dean (41-5) and Matthews (42-7). Borgia finished 43-3.

Locals Nabbing Boardwalk Brass Rings

Mendham’s Rafe Fonte (132) won one match at States, and Aidan Reilly also competed.

Hackettstown, which had a strong presence at R3, advanced just Joe Rowinski (113) to States, where he did win one match.

Mt. Olive sent 10 competitors to AC, possibly the most of any public high school. Nicolas Gonzalez (215), who bravely bumped to 285 to face Borgia in this season’s dual meet, climbed the podium, placing 4th. Tyler Cummings (190) advanced to the blood round with three wins. Anthony Piemonte (120) and Brandon Beres (138) made it to WB3. Justin Bullock (150), Tanner Perez (157), and Jared Martini (285) advanced to WB2, while Kristian Beres (106), Colin Smyth (144), Scott Coppolo (165) also competed.

Non-public powerhouse Delbarton advanced its entire squad through R3, and had three state champions: Cam Sontz (113), Jayden James (150) and Alessio Perentin (165).

Around the Boardwalk

Here are the medalists in WMC’s three weight classes, Borgia’s, Neill’s, and State alternate Chris Kowalik:

120

• 1st Place - Paul Kenny of Christian Brothers Academy
• 2nd Place - Johnathon McGinty of St Joseph Regional
• 3rd Place - Tommy Marchetti of Delbarton School
• 4th Place - Richard DeLorenzo II of Toms River East H.S.
• 5th Place - Aundre Hill of Paulsboro H.S.
• 6th Place - Joseph Rizzuto of Depaul Catholic
• 7th Place - Anthony Pellegrino of Seton Hall Prep School
• 8th Place - James McGinty of Parsippany Hills

190

• 1st Place - Harvey Ludington of Brick Memorial
• 2nd Place - Vincenzo LaValle of Hanover Park Hs
• 3rd Place - Tanner Hodgins of Howell
• 4th Place - Carl Betz of Delbarton School
• 5th Place - Alexander Reyes of Holmdel
• 6th Place - Kaleb Jackson of St Joseph Regional
• 7th Place - Nevin Mattessich of Don Bosco Prep School
• 8th Place - Jake Zemsky of Westfield

285

• 1st Place - Rocco Dellagata of Saint John Vianney
• 2nd Place - Cristian Alvarez of St Joseph Regional
• 3rd Place - Mateo Vinciguerra of Woodstown
• 4th Place - Benjamin Shue of Bergen Catholic
• 5th Place - James Lynch of Toms River East H.S.
• 6th Place - Ben Szuba of Brick Memorial
• 7th Place - Thomas Borgia of West Morris Central
• 8th Place - Clifford Dirkes of Ocean City

Finals

• 106, 1-JoJo Burke, St. Joseph (Mont.) d. 2-Killian Coluccio, Lacey, 4-3.
• 113, 1-Cameron Sontz, Delbarton d. 2-Charles Esposito, St. Joseph (Mont.), 4-2.
• 120, 1-Paul Kenny, Christian Brothers d. 2-Johnathon McGinty, St. Joseph (Mont.), 1-0.
• 126, 1-Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney (four time champion) md. 2-Nathan Braun, Bergen Catholic, 18-4.
• 132, 1-Sammy Spaulding, Camden Catholic d. 3-Ryan DeGeorge, Delbarton, 9-6 (SV).
• 138, 2-Caedyn Ricciardi, St. Peter's Prep p. 4-Carson Walsh, Pope John, :57.
• 144, 4-Blase Mele, Princeton (who had never won a District or Region title) d. 2-Don Almeyda, Pope John, 7-1.
• 150, 1-Jayden James, Delbarton p. 2-Jamar Dixon, Delsea, 1:50.
• 157, 2-Wyatt Stout, Southern d. 1-Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg, 3-2 (UTB).
• 165, 1-Alessio Perentin, Delbarton md. 2-AJ Falcone, Christian Brothers, 12-3.
• 175, 1-Ryan Burton (who won OW for topping the buzz saw Rutgers commit who won R3), St. Joseph (Mont.) md. 2-Jordan Chapman, Cranford, 20-6.
• 190, 1-Harvey Ludington, Brick Memorial d. 2-Vincenzo LaValle, Hanover Park, 7-3.
• 215, 1-Anthony Harris, St. Joseph (Mont.) d. 2-Dante DeLuca, Don Bosco Prep, 21-5 (TF 5:57).
• 285, 1-Rocco Dellagatta, St. John Vianney d. 2-Cristian Alvarez, St. Joseph (Mont.), 7-1.

WMC State Championship History

• WMC has two state champions in its wrestling history, Mike Mulrooney in 1991, and Greg Cholish in 1973. Neill’s was the 26th State Championship medal in school history overall.
• Before Borgia and Neill, Campanaro was the only Wolfpack wrestler to qualify for the State Championship his freshman year. Camp’s also the only WMC wrestler to qualify all four years, something Neill and Borgia aspire to.
• Last season in 2024, Neill became WMC’s first-ever freshman medalist, taking 7th. Borgia also made history with unprecedented advancement for an upperweight underclassman.
• In 2023, Dean placed sixth in Atlantic City where Borgia became one of two WMC freshmen to ever win a match. Michael Campanaro completed an illustrious career with his fourth State championship appearance, but was denied the podium with a devastating injury (for the third year in a row).
• In 2022, Campanaro and Henry Frayne competed at States, with one Campanaro elbow-injury-hampered victory between them, and WMC girl’s wrestling pioneer Marisa DiPaolo ascended the podium for the second year in a row, an accomplishment only matched by Metzler on the boy’s side.
• In 2021, this time wrestling with one eye pounded shut, Campanaro placed top-12 in the state.
• Colin Loughney ascended the legendary podium in 2020, placing eighth to culminate his outstanding Wolfpack career.
• Justin LeMay reached the podium in 2019, placing seventh in his third trip to States.
• Marco Gaita overcame injuries to place fifth in Boardwalk Hall in 2018, the culmination of his legendary career.
• Shane Metzler nabbed the last win of his record-shattering WMC career to place seventh in 2017, an unprecedented three-peat on the podium. Gaita, Kade Loughney and LeMay placed top-12.
• In 2016, Metzler became WMC’s second to repeat on the podium, placing fifth. Greg Cholish last accomplished a WMC podium repeat 43 years prior.
• Metzler placed fourth in 2015.
• Jesse Windt had one of the great seasons in WMC history in 2014, but it ended with an illness-impaired top-12 finish.
• Nick Matthews ended a Pack podium drought with a sixth place finish in 2013. The only prior 21st Century WMC podium ascent was Dillon Landi’s 2006 fourth.

Next Up

The West Morris Central wrestling family, led by Parents Club President Mark Montuore, Sr. and Coach Marold, will celebrate its season and distribute awards, and high school’s most prestigious letter, on March 23.

The 2025-26 season will start in December, with Marold losing only two starters, Wolfpack legend Montuore at 113, and Erin Villanueva at 144. He’ll have two returning state medalists in Borgia (who will be a senior) and Neill (junior). District champion Jacob Harrison will be a junior, and fellow champ Kowalik a sophomore. District finalists Deacon Frayne (sophomore) and Michael Borgia (senior), and bronze medalists Rob Fazzino (senior) and Jonathan Cabarle (soph) return, along with starters Jake Reed (soph), Kurt Beyer and John Garcia (juniors).

About David Yaskulka

David began living his sportswriter dream to avoid concession duty when his sons Noah and Ben began wrestling for the Wolfpack in 2012. He is a passionate sustainability advocate and pet industry executive, serves as Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, Board Director at Greater Good Charities; and Board Advisor at Arch Pet Food, rePurpose Global plastic action platform, and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

He invites all WMC wrestlers and their families to connect with him (and with each other!) on LinkedIn.