2018-19 Johnson & Wales Preview
Team: Johnson & Wales University
Head Coach: Lonnie Morris
Years at School as Head Coach: 22
Career Record at Current School: 326-136-4
Assistant Coaches: Brian Allen, James Gilbert, Joe Pronk, Mike Labell
2017-2018 Dual Meet Record: 21-2
2018 NCAA Qualifiers:
Jay Albis 1st 125
Joao Vicente 6th 133
Joe Ferinde 8th 141
Adrian Gonzalez NQ 165
Khamri Thomas 8th 184
Michael DiNardo NQ 197
Jonah Aurelio NQ 285
Returning NCAA Qualifiers:
Jay Albis 125 Sr (1st 125, 2nd 133 2017)
Bobby Jordan 133 Sr (7th 125 2017)
Joe Ferinde 141 Sr (8th 141 and 6th 141 2017)
Adrian Gonzalez 165 Sr (NQ 165)
Khamri Thomas 184 Sr (8th 184)
Michael DiNardo 197 Jr (NQ 197)
Top Returning Starters:
Jay Albis 125 Sr (1st 125, 2nd 133 2017) 2x NCAA Finalist, NCAA CHAMPION
Bobby Jordan 133 Sr (7th 125 2017) NCAA ALL-AMERICAN
Joe Ferinde 141 Sr (8th 141 and 6th 141 2017) 2x NCAA ALL-AMERICAN
Tommy Grippi 149 Sr 2x Region Placer
Brady Robin 157 So. Region Placer
Adrian Gonzalez 165 Sr NCAA Qualifier
Michael Gargano 174 Sr Region Placer
Khamri Thomas 184 Sr (8th 184) NCAA ALL-AMERICAN
Michael DiNardo 197 Jr NCAA Qualifier
Top Incoming Wrestlers:
125 Matthew Armamento Kenilworth, NJ SQ NJ
125 Matthew Leonard Barrington, RI 3x state placer
133 Craig Sampson New York, NY SQ NY
141 Nicholas DeSola Boynton Beach, FL 2x State Placer
141 Luke Moynihan Forked river, NJ SQ NJ
141 Noah Young Coventry, RI 3x State Finalist
149 Da’mani Burns Newburgh, NY 2x State Placer
149 Dominick LaRusso Succasunna , NJ SQ NJ
149 Gabriel McDaniel McDonough, GA 2nd & 3rd State
157 William Hughes Lebanon, NJ SQ NJ
157 Darius Joyce Easton, PA Northeast Region 5th
157 Steven Ocampo Princeton, NJ SQ NJ
165 Ryan DeVivo Berlin , CT 2x State Champ
165 Bailey OBrien Locust Valley, NY SQ NY
174 Nick Caracappa Freehold, NJ 3rd NJ
174 Nicholas Munsch Commack, NY Section 11 Champ, 6th NY
184 Jordi Perez Tequesta, FL SQ FL
197 Tommy Wrzesien Hope valley, RI 2X RI state champion
Hwt. Jayson Gomez Bronx, NY 2nd NY
Hwt. Liridon Leka Pine brook, NJ 2nd NJ
Hwt. Matthew Meloni Collingswood, NJ SQ NJ
Season Outlook:
Head coach Lonnie Morris has had some talented teams in his 20-plus years at Johnson & Wales, but the 2018-19 edition may be one of his best. The Wildcats return four All-Americans and two more wrestlers who advanced to the 2018 championship. Leading the way is defending national champion Jay Albis at 125 pounds. The NCAA Division III leader in tech falls, he was a finalist in 2017 and wants to be on the mat Saturday night in Roanoke.
Senior Bobby Jordan is back from a medical redshirt and will look to become an All-American at 133 pounds after reaching the podium in 2017 at 125 pounds. In the Wildcats’ storied history there has never been a three-time All-American, but 141-pounder Joe Ferinde wants to be the first and one-up his brother and two-time All-American Michael. Senior Khamri Thomas got a taste in 2018 when he placed eighth at 184 pounds.
Senior Adrian Gonzalez came up one match short of earning All-America honors last year at 165 pounds. The trip to Cleveland was too short for junior Michael DiNardo at 197 pounds and he’s ready to take his spot on the podium.
Three Wildcats have just missed out on qualifying for the NCAA Championships and want to earn their spot in 2019. At 149, senior Thomas Grippi is a two-time regional placewinner while Brady Robin earned all-region accolades at 157 last year as a rookie. An all-region selection in 2017, Michael Gargano wants to redeem himself after an early exit in 2018. In addition to his current crop of veteran wrestlers, coach Morris has a strong group of talented freshmen and transfers that want to be in Virginia come March. Longtime associate head coach Brian turns 50 on March 9 and the program’s first national championship would be quite the gift.