Fahmi, Fazzino, M. Borgia, Harrison Key as WMC Wrestlers Begin 2024-25

12/8/24

By David Yaskulka
Photos from Jen Sheppard, Sheryl Reed, Olivia Montuore

The West Morris Central wrestling Wolfpack opens its 2024-25 season at historic rival Hanover Park Dec. 14, bringing possibly its deepest lineup ever with 33 grapplers. The performance of juniors Jacob Fahmi, AJ Codella, Michael Borgia and Robert Fazzino; and sophomore Jacob Harrison, may determine how far Coach Chris Marold’s team can go this season.

Marold, WMC Wrestling Parents’ Club president Mark Montuore Sr., and WMC Athletic Director Matt Moscatello addressed a packed kick-off dinner crowd Dec. 4 at the school cafeteria to officially launch the season.

Poised for Next-Level Success

Starters Fahmi, Codella, Harrison, Fazzino and Borgia have achieved significant success and seem poised to take it to the next level.

Fahmi (projected 126 lbs.) is a two-time Region qualifier who started wrestling at age four, inspired by his parents. He said teammate Mark Montuore and assistant coach Tommy Nicolicchia “push me to make me better.”

“I have focused on helping my teammates, and they help me improve,” said Fahmi. “Knowing I have them on my team and that we are all there for eachother helps us grow as a team. It helps me get motivated and do better.”

Codella (HWT), coming off an outstanding football season, faces a gut-wrenching wrestle-off as WMC’s only two District champions must fight for one varsity slot. Sadly, wrestling for a school not known for great heavyweights, Codella already faced off against perhaps WMC’s best ever, a senior class Henry Frayne, Codella’s freshman year.

Harrison (132 lbs.) reached Regions in a 20-win freshman season highlighted by dramatic come-from-behind victories. He's been pushing himself to get to the next level.

“I’ve averaged about two tournaments a month, trained at Arizona State University Elite Camp to gain exposure to high-level wrestling, and worked with a club team to refine my technique,” said Harrison. “I’m excited to see where this season takes me.”

Fazzino’s (165) breakout season after transferring to WMC from Perth Amboy was cut short by illness. His brother inspired him to start wrestling at age six, and his greatest influences have been his dad and first wrestling coach.

“A successful season would consist of winning a District championship, qualifying for States, and going to Rutgers with my guys to win a Sectional title,” said Fazzino.

Borgia (215) overperformed the typical underclassman trajectory and now enters junior year when big guys start to shine. He placed fourth at both the Morris Knolls and John Goles tournaments.

“For me and the rest of the guys,” said Borgia, “a successful season is winning a Sectional title – it is our main team goal. We have a strong team, and we know we are more than capable.”

Returning Hammers

Senior Montuore (120), junior Tommy Borgia (HWT) and sophomore Brody Neill (113) are the team’s returning hammers, poised for historically great seasons. But it’s the other starters who could propel this team to new heights.

New Starters, Deep Roster

The Pack will also rely on new starters, which will likely include some combination of senior Erin Villanueva (157), junior Hayden Hurst (144), sophomores Kurt Beyer (150) and John Garcia (157), and a strong freshman class including Jake Reed (106), Lucas Harrison (126), Jonathan Cabarle (138), Deacon Frayne (175) and Chris Kowalik (190).

This team is exceptionally deep with senior Evan Pizzutillo; juniors Zane Pershaud, Blake Parkinson-Gee, Antonio Montella, Seamus Buckley, Tobi Kolawole, Alex Dymnicki, and Luke D`Aconti; sophomore Mason Vazquez (who was strong in his abbreviated varsity stint), Ashton Babinec, Brendan Osetek, Andrew Domingues, and Jack Sheppard; and freshmen Nicholas Galvin, Steven Paris, and Grant Baker.

Season Opener Bouts to Watch

The Pack starts the season at historic rival Hanover Park 12/14, which should provide the Pack lineup with grueling tests.

HP returns 11 wrestlers in the top-105 (RankWrestlers), and that doesn’t count some outstanding freshmen.

Reed could begin his career against HP Girls State Champion and #70 ranked @106 lb. (RankWrestlers) Gabriella Conte. She gave state medalist Neill a tough fight last season.

WMC’s Cabarle could debut against senior #42 Joey Tantawi at 138. Michael Borgia, ranked #175 in the pre-season, could get a chance to ascend the rankings vs. HP #46 Luke Stephenson at 215. Frayne can quickly test his ranking versus HP junior #84 Ronny Madera at 175.

HP freshman Frank DiMarzio, the #4 ranked incoming 157 lb. wrestlers in NJ (Full Circle Wrestling) could face Future Stars Award winner Garcia, or Villanueva. Or HP could bump DiMarzio up to face #38 ranked (RW) Fazzino at 165.

If not, Fazzino could jump start his season against #23 Nando Ott, a Morris County and Regional bronze medalist.

WMC freshman Kowalik, himself the #3 ranked (FC) newcomer and #18 statewide @ 190, may get his first trial by fire against NJSIAA State and Super 32 finalist, and Princeton commit, Vincenzo Lavalle.

At 120, Montuore may have the opportunity to avenge last season’s loss to NJ #10 Nick Difrancescantonio, a Morris County finalist.

In 2023-24, HP escaped WMC on criteria, 36-35, despite big wins by Jacob Harrison, Vinnie Caruso, Fazzino, Lucas Barisonek and Codella. In 2021-22, the Pack’s loss was nearly as narrow, 39-37, and the last WMC win was in 2020.

Next Up

WMC is at Jefferson 12/17 with #33 @215 Alexander DaSilva. Home opener is against powerhouse Pope John 12/18, with #3 @ 126 Dalton Weber, #4 @ 132 Carson Welsh, #10 @ 106 Jake Holly (whom Neill topped at States for 7th), and #21 @ 190 David Thomson.

The Morris Knolls Holiday Tournament is 12/21, and the John Goles Tournament 12/28. Goles’ degree of difficulty could ramp up a notch if powerhouse Southern (one of the nation’s top-ranked public schools, and #1 in NJ) brings their varsity squad this year.

Powerhouse Caldwell visits WMC 1/3/25 with #5 @ 106 Carmine Sipper (the only grappler to top Neill twice), #13 @ 190 Andrew Fonseca, #19 @ 175 Nicholas Mignone and #20 @215 Michael Mignone.

The Del Val quad is 1/4/25 with Kittatinny and Morris Knolls. WMC visits NJ #1 Delbarton 1/7 which could feature a rematch between nationally-ranked PJ Terranova, and Neill (who pinned Terranova last match). While WMC will not face Delbarton at the Morris County Tournament (Delby is going elsewhere), Pack District medalists will no doubt find Delbarton combattants as the Green Wave enters WMC’s Region 3.

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.