WMC Celebrates Historic 18-7, D11 Title Wrestling Season in 2024-25

3/30/25

By David Yaskulka
Photos from Jen Sheppard, Sheryl Reed

The winningest wrestling team in West Morris Central High School history (tied) celebrated its historic District 11 championship-winning 2024-25 season Sunday (Mar. 23) at the Black Oak Golf Club event hosted by the team’s Parents Club.

The team went 18-7, tied for the most wins in its history. It won the District 11 championship for the second time in its history . And its co-captains Mark Montuore and Tommy Borgia spilled gallons of fresh ink on the WMC record books.

Club President Mark Montuore Sr. and head Coach Chris Marold ran the banquet proceedings, bestowing the afternoon’s biggest awards to:

• Most Outstanding Wrestler: Tommy Borgia
• Wolfpack Achievement Award: Mark Montuore
• Clutch Performer: Brody Neill
• Future Star: Jack Sheppard
• Rookie of the Year: Chris Kowalik
• Most Improved Wrestler: Michael Borgia
• Blue and Gray Award: Jacob Harrison
• Coaches’ Award: Mason Vazquez

“The team was a very tight group,” said Marold. “It showed at the end of the season when guys came to the regions and states to support their teammates. All season, they hung out as a team, and that team bond is really important. They are a group that seems committed to wrestling.”

Montuore, after wrestling the final match of his historic WMC career, reflected: “Wrestling has taught me that through thick and thin there's always light at the end of the tunnel. Wrestling has changed my perspective on life – and it’s for the better. The relationships and lessons are eternal.

“I’ll bring wrestling with me throughout the rest of my life, and I wouldn't change a thing. Luv ya WMC wrestling!”

https://drive.google.com/file/...

All That Glitters: 2024-25 Season Awards

Tommy Borgia (HWT, 43-3), a junior, won Most Outstanding Wrestler for one of the greatest seasons in team history, winning every tournament championship – Knolls, Goles, county, district and region – on his way to placing seventh at the State Championship.

Montuore (113, 30-10) won the Wolfpack Achievement Award after a dominant career focused on helping his teammates. The two-year captain not only set the team pins record, but also demolished the all-time dual meet points record with 422 – the measure of helping his teammates win.

Neill (120, 36-6) won Clutch Performer his sophomore year after another dominant season. He was Morris County and district champion, a Knolls finalist, and took bronze at Goles and regions. His 74 career wins are the most ever for an underclassman, on pace to break Shane Metzler’s team wins record. Neill was named All-Conference (2nd team).

Sheppard (215, 23-4 JV) won Future Star after a dominant sophomore year. His 2-3 varsity record included competitive matches against State qualifiers, showing he’s absolutely ready for prime time. The 215 pounder had an extraordinary 21 pins in 27 matches.

Kowalik (195, 33-9) won Rookie of the Year after a Mt. Rushmore-level freshman campaign, winning the district championship, Goles bronze, County 4th, and region 5th, just missing qualifying for states. His 24 pin season was the fourth most in team history.

Michael Borgia (215, 19-16) won Most Improved after going 3-12 as a freshman, and 8-17 last season. He took district silver, Knolls bronze, County 6th, and was a first time region qualifier.

Harrison (132, 28-13) won the coveted Blue and Gray Award for exemplifying qualities the coaches seek. The sophomore won Goles and district championships, placing 4th at Knolls and 5th in the County. He’s a two-time region qualifier.

Coaches looked beyond W’s and L’s giving Vazquez (126, 10-20) the Coaches’ Award. His record is a perfect example of how well-above-average wrestlers face brutal competition in WMC’s schedule. RankWrestlers.com places Vazquez in the top 33% in NJ at the weight.

The Toughest Letter in Sports

WMC wrestling has been historically stingy with its varsity letters. Add the grueling practice and competition, and this honor is perhaps the toughest to achieve. The lengthy list of outstanding JV competitors is another indicator of this letter’s prestige.

Freshmen

Kowalik led a fearsome foursome of rookies with huge contributions to the team, each getting his first varsity letter.

Jake Reed (106, 14-17) excelled in his first-ever full year of wrestling, a highly unusual achievement at a weight chock full of young but highly experienced competitors. He placed at both Knolls (4th) and Goles (6th).

Jonathan Cabarle (138, 19-12) was one of the top rookies in the state at this weight, delivering six for the team in more than half his matches with 15 pins and two forfeits. He got better as the season progressed, culminating in an epic district consolation final win for bronze to advance to regions.

Deacon Frayne (175, 28-13) had one of the best rookie campaigns in team history. Like Kowalik, he was the top-ranked freshman in NJ at his weight. He qualified for regions with district silver, Knolls and County bronze, and Goles 5th. His 23 season pins was tied for fifth most in team history.

Sophomores

Neill, Harrison and Vazquez won their second letters to lead a powerful sophomore squad.

Kurt Beyer (150, 15-21) also won his second letter, placing at both Goles (6th) and County (tied for 7th). He was one of the most improved wrestlers on the squad. His memorable Morris Hills pin and District 11 loss were season highlights.

John Garcia (157, 12-18) came on strong, winning five of his last seven. He won impressive matches against Caldwell, and at Knolls, Goles and districts. He was a top-40 sophomore in the state at this weight.

Juniors

Tommy and Michael Borgia were awarded their third varsity letters. So was Rob Fazzino, who got his first at Perth Amboy as a freshman.

Fazzino (165, 15-15) nabbed bronze at districts with a powerful showing. He overcame an early losing record (facing top-50 ranked wrestlers in nine of his first 13 bouts) to qualify for regions for the first time. Topping #26 ranked Zahier Chiles (32-9) vs. St. Benedicts was a highlight.

Hayden Hurst (144, 6-14) used the relentless pace of WMC wrestling as his personal fitness practice, dropping from 194 pounds to become the 144 lb. starter, leading the team in escape points. Each of the 14 wrestlers who defeated Hurst was ranked top-33%.

Seniors

The only squad member awarded his fourth letter, Montuore was also the only senior to start the entire season. That bodes well for 2025-26. But the team is losing a legend, and a group of strong leaders.

Speaking of all the seniors, co-captain Borgia said, “They were truly the glue of our team. Losing them is a major blow.”

JB Wagner (190, 2-1) received his second varsity letter after starting 16 varsity matches last season. He had an especially exciting victory over Montclair subbing for Frayne. Wagner also dominated on the JV mat, going 13-6 and placing at the tough WMC JV tourney. He plans to leverage his wrestling work ethic to attend County College of Morris and become a heavy equipment operator journeyman.

Erin Villanueva (144, 4-12), took over the starting role, often saving the team critical points in dual meets. But his first ever varsity win was one for the ages, coming from way behind in the ultimate winner-take-all match versus Immaculata, pinning for the Wolfpack victory. Marold called it “one of my favorite moments of the season.” Villanueva also dominated on the JV mat, going 9-4 with six pins and a WMC tournament placement.

Evan Pizutillo (17-8 JV) was dominant for the junior squad, pinning 14 times and placing at the WMC tourney. He is another perfect example of how incredibly hard it can be to crack this lineup. A recent convert to the sport, Pizutillo said, “I wish I started earlier so that I could have been better.” He’ll no doubt translate that drive – as evidenced by his award-winning robotics accomplishments and stellar SAT scores – into great success as an aerospace engineer (his career goal).

Statisticians

Capturing wrestling scores and statistics, move after dynamic move, is one of the more challenging jobs in sports. But that critical job informs everything from tournament seeding, to most every number you can find in these articles. This writer is incredibly appreciative of their hard work.

This season, Violet Caruso and Alyssa Neill – sisters to varsity wrestlers Vincent (class of 2024) and Brody respectively – provided senior leadership among the statisticians. Next season, now-sophomores Kaylee Vieira and Adrianna Gorgiev assume leadership statistician roles.

Marold profusely thanked this crew (often called “stat girls”), citing their dedication and reliability even in the face of brutal early morning bus rides with the team.

The Borgias and the Montuores

One powerful storyline at the banquet was the wrestling achievements of, and the relationship between, two families – the Montuores and the Borgias.

Marold thanked and awarded multiple members of both families, including coach Tom Borgia Sr. and Montuore Sr. (as well as coach Tom Nicoliccia and others). The elder Borgia and Montuore talked emotionally and powerfully of their friendship.

This was the last formal season for the Montuores, and it would be hard to find a family that devoted more to this wrestling squad.

Co-captain Montuore was recognized for setting the team’s all time pin record with 68, becoming the fifth winningest wrestler in school history with 113, and serving as team captain for half of his high school career. He was named All-Conference (honorable mention) in the toughest conference in NJ.

The senior Montuore served in the critical and thankless role of club president for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, his wife Lisa Montuore served multiple years as team photographer, alongside their daughter Olivia Montuore.

Fittingly, Borgia tied his childhood friend and co-captain Montuore for the team's pin record with 68, and tied for fifth most wins with 113. Placing seventh, he became the first WMC HWT boy on the State championship podium since Tom Walsh in 1961. Borgia demolished the team single season pins record with 33, and set the season wins record, going 43-3. He was named first team All-Conference. His twin brother Michael Borgia was a region qualifier for the team.

And the Neills

Tiffany Neill, Brody’s mom, was announced as the next Parents Club President, following an impressive list of selfless parents of top wrestlers to serve, including Mike Campanaro Sr., Jeff Hill, David Migliaccio Sr., and George Matthews.

Among the WMC wrestlers to reach the State Championship tournament their first two years (including Michael Campanaro Jr. and Tommy Borgia Jr.), only Brody Neill made the podium as an underclassman, placing 7th last year. Shane Metzler placed 4th at States as a sophomore, but did not reach States as a rookie.

Speaking of Metzler

Marold announced that yet another wrestling talent with head coaching experience – Metzler – would be joining the team as a coach. Marold said Metzler, a three-time State medalist for the Wolfpack, would be helping Neill break Metzler’s all-time wins record of 144 (if Borgia doesn't break it first). Neill has 74 going into junior year. Metzler was the head coach for Voorhees this season.

Junior Squad: One of the Biggest and Best

Coach Borgia recognized each JV squad wrestler, time after time saying he was “varsity ready” for most squads.

Those with 10 or more JV matches included Ashton Babinec (12-12), Grant Baker (12-16), Antonio Montella (12-10), JB Wagner (13-6), Seamus Buckley (8-13), Andrew Domingues (12-12), Jack Sheppard (23-4), Evan Pizzutillo (17-8), Alex Dymnicki (12-6), Tobi Kolawole (8-5), Nick Galvin (7-8) and Lucas Harrison (17-10).

Goodbye to a Legend

While this young squad’s 2025-26 prospects are bright, there’s one pair of wrestling shoes they just won’t be able to fill: Montuore’s.

“Mark is one of the best leaders the team has ever had,” said his co-captain Borgia after Montuore’s last match. “He was one of my best friends for the past 13 years. And although he may have fallen a little short of his goal (in the toughest bracket in the whole region, maybe out of all 8 regions) that does not discredit his amazing career and everything he has done for this team.”

“Mark is going to be very difficult to replace,” said Marold. “I have known him since he was very young wrestling in rec. He was a freshman my first year as head coach, and that will always connect us.

“He is one of the best leaders this program has had and I'm sure his name will come up often when giving speeches to the team. I'm confident he will find a way to help this program continue to grow.”

What’s Next? Looking to 2025-26

Coaches have uncanny accuracy predicting how a wrestler will perform based largely on his off season effort. Some say wins and losses are determined in the off season.

“In the offseason we all need to work to better ourselves for next year,” said state medalist Borgia. “We have an amazing group of kids coming back, and besides Mark we are not losing any full time starters. So we could do something special.

“This season was great, but truly it is already behind me,” he continued. “It’s time to move on and think about what is in store for the future. Next year as a team we can make history. And for myself I want to capture a state title that has eluded me for the past three years. I and the others coming back are ready to put the work in to make all these dreams a reality.”

“This is a group that seems committed to wrestling,” said Marold. “A lot of them are giving up playing other sports (against my wishes) to focus on wrestling. They are all very coachable.

“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.”

Marold’s fear of guys getting “jumbled up in the same weights” is the only serious concern. This year, Marold lost two returning region qualifiers, Jacob Fahmi and AJ Codella, to an embarrassment of riches at their weights. Sheppard and others were denied varsity opportunities for the same reason.

Next season, WMC is only graduating starters at 113 and 144. So the returning starters from 150 up literally have no room to grow without displacing another excellent starter.

But that’s also the good news. Marold pointed out that WMC’s North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 conference powerhouse rivals Caldwell and Gov. Livingston are losing numerous senior hammers, while WMC’s 13 young returning starters gain experience. Caldwell is graduating five of its top 11 wrestlers. Gov. Livingston is losing six of its top eight (based on RankWrestlers.com).

In contrast, this young Wolfpack squad is graduating one of its top 15, and three of its top 21.

In 2025-26, Marold’s team by the numbers:

• 2 state medalists (Tommy Borgia and Neill). These are the returning hammers!
• 9 region qualifiers (adding Harrison, Fahmi, Cabarle, Fazzino, Frayne, Kowalik and Michael Borgia) – and 10 if you add Codella. Nearly every one of these could become hammers as well, and in some cases (like Harrison, Frayne and Kowalik) are just about there.
• 13 starters (adding Reed, Vazquez, Hurst, Beyer, and Garcia) – the lifeblood of a successful squad.
• 4 (or more) dominant JV wrestlers (including at least Sheppard, Lucas Harrison, Dymnicki and Montella) ready to jump in and compete for spots or fill in the gaps.

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; Board Advisor at Arch Pet Food, rePurpose Global plastic action platform, and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, and Advisor to Love, Nala cat food.

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