Just as it can all change in an instant in any single match – especially when one is battling each second at such a high-level against the best competition in the state – a short memory and utter determination can help to turn the corner on the way to greater heights.
For Caldwell’s Carmine Sipper, the realization that there was simply very little time to harp over what had just happened after dropping a hard-fought 2-0 decision to third-seeded Anthony Mason of Southern in Friday’s 113-pound quarterfinal, spurred on what would be an impressive, full-bounce back effort which culminated with a third-place finish in the absolute meat-grinder that is the NJSIAA wrestling state tournament.
Sipper (44-5), a junior on the outstanding Caldwell wrestling team, became the highest state finisher for a Chief grappler in 21 years, or since Chiefs’ assistant coach Steve Martell won a state title back in 2004, as he won four straight bouts, including two where he avenged recent, narrow setbacks, to be able to stand proudly on the podium next to 113-pound state champion Cam Sontz of Delbarton and runner-up Charlie Esposito of St. Joe’s of Montvale following the completion of the 2025 NJSIAA tourney on Saturday.
For his superlative efforts, Sipper is the latest Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.
He is one of four Essex County wrestlers to place in the state tourney while joined in that department by a pair of seventh-place finishers in seniors Anthony Pellegrino of Seton Hall Prep (at 120), and Temuulen Mendbileg of St. Benedict’s (175), while SHP junior Rocco Salerno was eighth at 215.
For Sipper, who lost in the pre-quarters in the states as a sophomore in 2024, his continued ascension to become a state-ranked wrestler all season long at 113, was given full justification with his superb showing at the NJSIAA tourney inside historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Still, it took an extra few ounces of determination, confidence and focus to bounce right back from a quarterfinal loss to Southern’s Mason to make his impressive run to a third place.
“Having that ability to make a quick turnaround is everything and can change your entire tournament,” said Sipper. “If you take time to soak up a loss and that’s all you continue to think about then you’re in big trouble, it can change the way you wrestle, and you may as well go home at that point.
“Coach (Sean) Romano told me that I had about five minutes to suck it up and then get ready to get back out there, which I was able to do.”
Sipper began his stupendous comeback efforts in the wrestlebacks’ fourth round, sometimes referred to as ‘the blood round’ and where a wrestler’s entire tourney can come down to that bounce-back moment.
He was dominant in earning a 5-0 decision vs. seventh-seeded Michael DiBiase of Red Bank Catholic, then went out and registered a major decision (10-2) in the wrestleback quarterfinals vs. 13-Augie Szamreta of Warren Hills, who would wind up finishing eighth overall.
But the journey to an eventual third place finish was just beginning.
“It really came down to Carmine’s mindset,” said Romano. “He was determined. “Everything was clicking and peaking at the right time. The most important factor was his confidence.
“We dropped a tough quarterfinal match to Anthony Mason of Southern that we thought a call could have gone our way, but to Carm’s credit he did an incredible job of having short memory and bouncing back because just an hour later he had a win-and-place or lose-and-go-home blood round match.
“Once we won that match, he was excited, but he was not satisfied as he ran off three more wins with two2 of those being 1-0 wins over kids that we had lost to.”
Those two ‘redemption-type’ matches came in the wrestleback semifinals with a 1-0 decision over 12th-seeded Michael Daly of Cranford who had edged Sipper, 2-0, in the District 10 finals at Cranford a couple weeks prior.
Then, the third-place match vs. the third-seeded Mason, who had edged the Chiefs’ standout in the quarterfinals, and Caldwell’s relentless competitor earned another 1-0 decision for third place.
“They were both great battles, similar-type matches, and -as always- it came down to who wanted it more,” said Sipper. “I just reached for as much heart as I could muster at that point, and I was so happy to battle back all the way on Friday and Saturday and earn that third place.
“To be our school’s highest finisher in the states since Coach Martell feels awesome and what I’m going to remember is how great all my coaches were in always having my back and pushing us all the time which helps me have the stamina I do have.
“And, I have great teammates! We have great seniors who push the underclassmen to be better every day in the room. I drill with Dom Holler (senior 120-pounder) who is tough, and such a great kid; and I wouldn’t be able to be where I am now without him working me hard each day.
Plus, our parents and fans are just tremendous, and I am so thankful for all the people who came down from Caldwell to AC to support me and my teammates in the states.
Still, there is another plateau to strive for in 2026.
“Finishing third this year the way I was able to bounce back in the tournament is great, but it’s not exactly what I wanted,” continued Sipper. “I’ll get back to work again and try to achieve what I want the most next year, which - of course - is winning a state championship!”
Sipper’s superb showing in AC caps what has been an absolutely memorable season for the Caldwell wrestling squad, which won a Super Essex Conference-American Division title, including victories over rivals Seton Hall Prep and West Essex, and then achieving a second straight North 2, Group 2 state sectional title before also earning a berth in the overall Group 2 state final at Rutgers vs. state-ranked Rumson-Fair Haven and giving the Monmouth County public school power a real battle before falling 40-28.
