Harrison and DeFrance Drive Wolfpack Wrestling Wins, Dean Departs

1/21/24

By David Yaskulka
Photos by Olivia Montuore

Henry DeFrance knew it was all on the line as he stepped to the mat versus Montville at Saturday’s (Jan. 20) West Morris Central home wrestling quad.

“Coach told me ‘you got this, finish the job.’” The WMC senior left no doubt with an 11-0 major victory. “It felt great winning the match for my team but the reason we won was the other guys on my team. I was just a small part of it.”

Indeed, teammate Jacob Harrison, a freshman, was dominant all day with three dramatic last-minute pins to lift WMC over Columbia and Montville, while falling to powerful Caldwell. Mark Montuore (cutting down a weight), Robert Fazzino and Tommy Borgia also dominated, each going 3-0 Saturday.

Dean Departs with Olympic Aspirations

Earlier, the team learned that junior Brandon Dean, one of the most successful wrestlers in school history, was leaving the team. His last match was a victory over Morris Knolls two weeks earlier.

“My family is going to Colorado for the training opportunities that are available, and to pursue my dreams of being a world and Olympic champion,” said the undefeated top-ranked Dean, who finished sixth in New Jersey as a sophomore.

Coach Chris Marold said, “It is unfortunate that things did not work out with Brandon, the team wishes him the best of luck moving forward.”

After Dean’s podium performance in Atlantic City, Marold said “He is well on his way to challenging many West Morris records. I think that Tommy [Borgia] and Brandon will be competing to become the third state champ in school history.” Now that falls to Borgia and his teammates.

Dean won Goles and Morris Knolls gold this season, and Goles, County, District and Region championships last year on the way to the state podium. Nationally, he achieved All America status in folk style, freestyle, and Greco-Roman.

“I'm going to miss all the friends and family that I have inside and outside the sport that I'm leaving behind,” said Dean. “ I would like to thank all my family, friends and coaches that have helped me get to this point and support me moving forward.”

M. Borgia, Caruso, McBride and DeFrance Lift WMC Over Columbia 68-10

Losing only twice on the mat to Columbia’s two best wrestlers, WMC dominated the first match of the quad with a tech fall from Michael Borgia, and pins from Brody Neill, Harrison, Vincent Caruso, Brendan McBride and Fazzino. DeFrance’s 8-5 victory topped off the 68-10 Wolfpack win. Andrew Dominguez (157) stepped to the mat for the Pack for the first time, getting six team points in a forfeit.

In 2020, WMC overwhelmed an undermanned Columbia squad 71-6 when Robby Bohr pinned their best wrestler.

DeFrance is the Difference as WMC Defeats Montville 40-31

Montville was the key match of the quad, one that could easily have gone either way.

Tommy Borgia got WMC on the board with an impressive pin over Sean Elsmore, who was 14-4 and ranked #43 in New Jersey.

“I have known that kid forever,” said Borgia, “and I have always wrestled him close. So it felt good to go out there and dominate.”

AJ Codella almost followed with a major upset over #40 ranked Luke Abilio (18-3). But a referee-in-training’s controversial stalling call was the difference as Abilio prevailed 2-1.

Neill and Montuore delivered huge pins over highly ranked Mustangs.

Harrison did the same, pinning Thomas Longo (15-5) in a headlock with just 15 seconds remaining.

“HARRISON!” exclaimed Borgia. “That was big for the team. He's going to have a good career for the Pack if he keeps putting the work in.”

Sam Rizzuto and Fazzino followed, also procuring pinfalls for the Pack. Co-captain Rizzuto called his cradle for the pin his “best moment of the day” personally, but his highlight was “The effort we showed as a team, showing we can compete with anyone. Yes we all have room for improvement but the heart is there and that's something you can't teach.”

Fazzino’s second pin of the day made the score 36-27 with DeFrance in the penultimate match before a final match strongly favoring Montville. DeFrance delivered to nail down the win.

Freshman John Sheppard made his varsity debut for the Pack.

Last year Michael Campanaro’s 100th victory was the highlight of a 51-30 victory over Montville, which included wins from Montuore, Rizzuto, Tommy Borgia and Jacob Fahmi, and a big upset gutty pin by Brendon McBride.

After 24-6 Start, WMC Falls to Caldwell 45-27

Tommy Borgia and Montuore continued their dominant days with pins. In between, Neill faced his toughest foe of the young season, falling to #5 ranked undefeated Carmine Sipper 5-0.

Harrison, down 12 to 4, with 11 seconds to go against #65 ranked Solomon Sorient (13-6) shocked the crowd with a pin for the Pack.

Fazzino won a big swing match versus 90th ranked Ben Lattimer (12-6) 3-2 for his third win of the day, and the last scoring of the match for the Pack.

John Garcia made his varsity debut for the Pack.

“Staying in the Caldwell match was great,” said Montuore, whose underdog team jumped to a 24-6 lead. "They're a very good team and the boys should be proud. A couple small fixes and we beat them.”

Last season, WMC defeated Caldwell 48-31 with pins from Rizzuto and Borgia, as well as from Dean Muttart and Michael Hare. This year, Caldwell brought an 11-1 record from 12 top-100 wrestlers, including six in the top 50. They’ve topped South Plainfield and Warren Hills. In North Jersey Group 2 Section 2, they rank second in power points.

Vasquez and Garcia Win WMC JV Tournament Championships

On Sunday Jan. 21, freshmen Mason Vasquez (113) and Robert Garcia (132) did not skip a beat from their varsity stints, grabbing gold medals at the West Morris Central JV tournament. Vasquez prevailed 7-6, and Garcia 10-3 in the finals.

Prior, Vasquez achieved a 5-13 varsity record and a #128 state-wide ranking (top 25%), but lost his slot when Montuore cut to 113 lbs. Garcia made his varsity debut Saturday.

Kurt Byer, another freshman who has gained varsity experience, won silver, and Erin Vilanueava took bronze.

Next Up

“The team is peaking at the right time, morale is up and we're really enjoying every moment,” said Rizzuto. “Our goal is to make a statement in our section and I believe we can.”

“I think the team is doing well with a big week coming up,” said Montuore. “We're looking to go 2-0 and have multiple placers at Counties.”

The Pack visits Sparta on 1/23, and Morris Hills 1/24 (a makeup match). The Morris County Tournament is 1/26-27 at Mount Olive. January concludes with Senior Night vs. Mendham at home 1/31. The D11 championship is 2/17.

Ranking and records based on RankWrestlers.com’s algorithm, which pulls from TrackWrestling.com data.

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. His day job is Senior Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility for Mid America Pet Food, whose family of brands is led by VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food and Nature’s Logic. He also serves as Board Chair of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, and as Board Director at Greater Good Charities.