Brawler Band is Back for 2025-26 West Morris Central Wrestling Season

12/7/25
By David Yaskulka
Photos from Jen Sheppard, Sheryl Reed, and more.

Wrestling Parents Club President Tiffany Neill officially kicked off the 2025-26 season at the West Morris Central cafeteria Wednesday night (Dec. 3), along with head coach Chris Marold and his rising tide of talent ready to trade their hopes for hardware.

Focused on an elusive state section championship, the squad is led by state medalists Brody Neill (a junior, 36-6 last season) and Tommy Borgia (senior, 43-3), and region qualifiers Jacob Harrison (junior, 28-13); sophomores Jonathan Cabarle (19-12), Deacon Frayne (28-13) and Chris Kowalik (33-9); and seniors Robert Fazzino (15-15) and Michael Borgia (19-6).

"We have a strong, experienced squad made up of good, hard working young men," said Marold. “We have two state medalists, most of our starters returning, plus new talent. The number one team goal remains to win a sectional title, and individually qualify a bunch of guys for states – with multiple placewinners.”

“This team can go far,” said wrestler Neill, “as long as everyone keeps putting in the time and doing their job.”

Returning starting lettermen Jake Reed (sophomore), Mason Vazquez, John Garcia, and Kurtis Beyer (juniors), and Hayden Hurst (senior); along with spot-starters Nick Galvin, Lucas Harrison (sophomores), Jack Sheppard (junior), and Antonio Montella (senior) round out possibly the most experienced squad in recent Wolfpack history.

Marold also announced his strong team of fellow coaches, including Tom Borgia and Tommy Nicolicchia returning. The new addition is Mark Montuore Sr., the outgoing Parents Club president, and dad to graduated WMC record-setting two-year captain Mark Montuore.

Hammer Time

Three Pack members placed at regions, including champion Borgia, Neill (bronze) and Kowalik (5th). They return to lead the Pack.

Borgia, the decorated football lineman and Princeton commit, placed 7th in NJ last season, falling only to seniors in Atlantic City. Most ranking sites place him 3rd in NJ now, but those above him have never beaten Borgia in HS competition. He seeks the state championship that always somehow seemed his destiny after winning multiple youth USAWNJ championships, and every other high school tournament (Knolls, Goles, County, District, Region) last season.

Morris County and District Champion Neill made WMC history by medaling at states (7th) his freshman year. He hopes to climb higher on the podium as an upperclassman. His 74 career wins are the most ever for an underclassman, on pace to break Shane Metzler’s team wins record (if Borgia doesn’t get there first).

Neill, ranked #10 in NJ by Full Circle, spent the off season training with the Rutgers wrestling squad.

District champion Kowalik won WMC’s Rookie of the Year after a Mt. Rushmore-level campaign, winning Goles bronze, County 4th, and region 5th, just missing qualifying for states. His 24 pin season was the fourth most in team history. He’s NJ’s top ranked underclassman at his weight, ranked overall #14 in NJ overall (FC) and #1 underclassman, and could do damage in Atlantic City.

“Kowalik has emerged as one of our best overall wrestlers, has matured, and is starting to emerge as a leader of the team,” said Marold of the sophomore.

The Power Core

District champion Jacob Harrison, plus Michael Borgia, Frayne (both 2nd in D12), Fazzino and Cabarle (3rd) make eight returning region qualifiers, an exceptionally strong power core.

“I expect Jacob Harrison to have a big season and qualify for states,” said Marold. Harrison also was a Goles champion, and the Blue & Gray Award winner. His pre-season RankWrestlers rank was #21 in NJ.

Returning gridder champions M. Borgia (the Most Improved Wrestler Award winner) and Frayne may need to fight for a single weight slot at 215.

“Not sure who wins,” said Marold. Either way, WMC will be in great shape at the weight, while tragically forcing a member of its power core to the bench.

Fazzino will look to bounce back from injury-impaired seasons on both the mat and gridiron, while Cabarle looks to build on an outstanding freshman season.

Returning starters and new squad members alike have the potential to step up to region-qualifier level. Beyer was singled out.

“I think Kurt is going to surprise the fans this year,” said Neill. “He has been putting in the work.”

“Beyer has been one of our hardest workers in the room so far, and I think he will be one of our most improved wrestlers this season,” said Marold.

Fresh Blood Time

With so many returning starters, it will be challenging for others to crack the varsity lineup. But new starters always emerge, and they’ll be needed especially in lower weights.

Fresh blood could come from the spot starters above; from new or former JV grapplers Alex Dymnicki, Antonio Montella (seniors), Andrew Dominguez, Ashton Babinec (juniors), Grant Baker, Tristan Cooper (sophomores), and a freshman class including Aiman Ahmed, Dean Forlenza, Declan Pope, Erik Forsbrey, Gavin Kuronya, Julian Healy, Logan Reeves, Ryan Groel, Ryan Tie, and Van Muttart.

Among the possible new starters, many stood out in increasingly-challenging JV competition, including Sheppard (23 wins, 21 by fall, Future Star Award winner), Lucas Harrison (17 wins, WMC tournament champion), Babinec, Baker, Montella, Domingues and Dymnicki (12 each).

“Ryan Tie is an up and coming wildcard that could be a great addition lower weight for WMC this season,” said Long Valley Youth Wrestling program lead Lloyd Fleming. “While new to wrestling he comes with years of grappling in MMA. With more mat time you could see him make a big impact throughout his WMC career.”

“Tie was one of our most dedicated wrestlers in the offseason going to club practices three to four times a week all summer,” said Marold. “If he can maintain 106 all season I think he will have a big year.”

Marold pointed to Galvin, Muttart, Reed, Ahmed, Vazquez (the Coaches’ Award Winner recovering from injury), Baker, Garcia, Forsbrey, Hurst, and Dominguez as wrestlers in the mix for starting time.

Freshman Influx

In addition to Tie, Fleming commented on more of the freshman crew.

“Gavin is a new wrestler who will be an upper weight slot, he is green but has a lot of determination training in the summer with Este Built,” said Fleming.

“Van, Julian, Erik, and Dean are the more seasoned veterans of the group. Julian is a football and lacrosse phenom who finished fourth for the Northern NJ Wrestling League… He could be a state qualifier at one point in high school.”

The youth program now boasts over 150 wrestlers.

Early Depth Chart Prediction

Marold provided this early depth chart projection, but it’s critical to note that young men’s weights change, wrestle-off upsets happen, and of course injury can raise its ugly head.

Region Qualifiers in bold
*10+ Wins

106 Ryan Tie (Fr)
113 Nicholas Galvin (So., 3-5), Van Muttart (Fr.)
120 Jacob Reed* (So.)
126 Aiman Ahmed (Fr.), DeBiasse
132 Brody Neill* (Jr.), Lucas Harrison (So., 17-10 JV), Ryan Groel (Fr.)
138 Mason Vazquez* (So.), Julian Healy (Fr.)
144 Jacob Harrison* (Jr.), Logan Reeves (Fr.), Tristan Cooper (So.)
150 Jonathan Cabarle* (So.), Grant Baker (So.), Dean Forlenza (Fr.)
157 John Garcia* (Jr.), Erik Forsbrey (Fr.)
165 Kurt Beyer* (Jr.), Haden Hurst (Sr.), Antonio Montella (Sr.), Ashton Babinec (Jr.), Dellisanti, Gavin Kuronya (Fr.)
175 Robert Fazzino* (Sr.), Andrew Dominguez (Jr.), Tobi Kolawole (Sr.)
190 Chris Kowalik* (So.), Alex Dymnicki (Sr.)
215 Deacon Frayne* (So.), Michael Borgia* (Sr.)
285 Tommy Borgia* (Sr.) Heavyweight

Caldwell Tournament Preview

WMC will face some powerhouse squads to open the season at the Dec. 13 Caldwell Tourney, including the State Section Champion host Caldwell, and Full Circle #5 Bergen Catholic. Emerson/Park Ridge, Hunterdon Central, Kittatinny, Lynhurst/North Arlington, Passaic Co. Tech-Voc, River Dell and St. Benedict’s Prep round out the competition.

Based on pre-season RankWrestlers.com data, here are the top wrestlers WMC can expect to see. Note that weight classes and rosters can (and almost surely will) change.

Most of the top-ranked wrestlers come from Bergen Catholic (and nearly all are State medalists or qualifiers), including Nathan Braun 138 (NJ 2nd), Joey Canova 175 (NJ 7th), Gideon Gonzalez 150 (NJ 7th), Chad Sadaka 190, Sowzrawca Tsay 157 (NJ 8th), Matthew Mulligan 138 (NJ 8th), Manny Gusfa 165 and Mason Marck HWT.

Caldwell brings state medalist Carmine Sipper (120) , Anthony Barrett (126), Solomon Soriente (138), Matt Ruane (106), Nicco Capaldo (150), Rocco Conforti (150), and Yankee Mabee (113).

Emerson brings Nicholas Giella 175 and Chase Monahan 190. Hunterdon boasts Joshua Buck 150 and Declan Joyce HWT. Riverdell boasts Anthony Daibes 126, Michael Archvadze 150 and Youssef Ibrahim 190.

Six from WMC made this list (with a RW score over 90) including both Borgias, Kowalik, J. Harrison, Cabarle and Beyer. Note that Neill, Frayne and Fazzino are among the missing, indicating that other squads also have hammers who have not yet weight certified.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RkNbAqyrRxVwumxDSIyRwQ8Tx2I1WZf4wnj05MZd-E8/edit?usp=sharing

This is the first time WMC is opening its season at the Caldwell Tournament, a distinction previously held by the Morris Knolls Tournament the last two years, following a long string of appearances at the Pennsylvania X-Calibur Tournament. Prior, Knolls opened the 2014-15 season.

Last season WMC fell to eventual State Section Champion Caldwell 48-20. Caldwell bested the Pack in 2023-24, but WMC was victorious in 2022-23.

Pursuit of Hardware

WMC’s pursuit of glory can be confusing. Here’s a cheat sheet. In brief, there’s a regular season (with duels and tournaments), and a post-season for both individuals and the team.

Marold points to the North 2 Group 2 State Section championship as the key team goal. WMC will have to vanquish Bernards, Caldwell, Elmwood Park, Gov. Livingston, Hackettstown, Hillside, Madison, Newark Collegiate, Parsippany, Parsippany Hills, Roselle, and Voorhees to achieve gold.

Last season, Caldwell won, and it was Gov. Livingston that knocked out WMC in the semifinals.

Two charts point to WMC’s improved odds this season, with Gov. Livingston losing its top guns to graduation, and Caldwell also losing much more than WMC did.

But another chart shows that Caldwell will nonetheless be formidable.

At the end of last season Marold said, “I'm willing to bet that as long as everyone doesn't get jumbled up in the same weight classes, next year we will finally win that elusive sectional title.”

Individually, half the team or more has a legitimate chance to advance through Districts and Regions to the ultimate individual destination, the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships in Atlantic City to face the best of the best.

Last season, WMC won Districts as a team, while crowning Neill, Harrison, Kowalik and Borgia champions. Borgia defended his Region crown, with Neill joining him in qualifying for State. And while Neill was the team’s only returning medalist, it was Borgia who climbed the Atlantic City podium in 2025.

This season, WMC hopes to send a much larger Pack to States, with Neill, Harrison, Frayne, Kowalik, and both Borgias ranked high enough to predict a states birth, and more wrestlers ranked with states within reach.

Here’s a cheat sheet explaining rankings.

Next Up

“I’m looking forward to watching this team compete,” said Marold. We have a lot of matches early on in the season so we will quickly find out what we are made of.”

WMC opens the 2025-26 wrestling season Dec. 13 at the Caldwell Tournament. The season’s first dual is at home vs. Sparta Dec. 17. On Dec. 20 they’ll join the Morris Knolls Holiday Tournament, while some may venture to Delaware for Beast of the East. WMC visits Hanover Park Dec. 23 for a quad including Randolph and TBA. The John Goles Tournament is Dec. 29 at Warren Hills. The new year starts at a Kittatinny quad with Del Val and Morris Knolls Jan. 3, 2026, followed by dual meets at Mount Olive Jan. 6 and High Point Jan. 7. (Schedule based on Garden State HS Wrestling calendar).

About David Yaskulka

To avoid concession duty when his sons Noah and Ben joined WMC in 2012, David revived his sportswriter dream, and still covers the Pack. He’s a sustainability advocate and pet industry executive, having served as CEO of Nature’s Logic, SVP of Mid America Pet Food, and Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition and Greater Good Charities. He currently advises Love, Nala cat food, Archway 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.