New Jersey Mat Chat

082: Johnny Johnson

Are we developing better wrestlers — or just creating more opportunities to win matches? Johnny “J-Rock” Johnson has spent more than three decades thinking about that qu

081: Liam Suydam

Liam Suydam didn't wrestle a single match his freshman year. Before his first high school season even got started, the Moorestown wrestler suffered an injury that put hi

080: Eric Morley

Eric Morley didn't grow up as a wrestling phenom. In fact, he didn't start wrestling until high school. His freshman record? 0-8. Today, he's the head wrestling coach

079: Jackson Fearon

Jackson Fearon almost quit wrestling. As a sophomore at Middletown North, he was trying to maintain 120 pounds. His routine? Wake up at 4 AM. Run. Sauna. School. P

078: Pat Glory

Pat Glory knows what it feels like to come up one match short. Before becoming an NCAA National Champion at Princeton, Glory lost three youth state finals. Then he reac

077: Joey Monticello

Second in New Jersey isn't good enough for Joey Monticello. The Hanover Park senior came within one match of an NJ State Championship last season. Now he's coming back

076: John Martin

Legends never die. Their stories live on through the people they inspired. New Jersey Mat Chat is proud to present the first installment of Legends Never Die, honoring t

075: Jayce Cappello

Jayce Cappello didn't grow up as an elite year-round wrestler. He was a baseball player who got serious about wrestling entering high school. Now he's chasing an NJ State

074: Billy Damiana

Are we making New Jersey high school wrestling better—or making the path too easy? Lower Cape May head wrestling and football coach Billy Damiana joins New Jersey Mat Ch

073: MJ Gorrell

New Jersey wrestling has a new name to watch this season: MJ Gorrell. Except MJ isn't exactly new. The Somerset, NJ native spent his first two high school seasons compe

072: Jason Nase

What does New Jersey high school wrestling need to change? Coach Jay Nace has some ideas. Former Division I All-American, longtime Rider assistant and respected New Jers

071: Julius Feliciano

Fourth in New Jersey as a freshman. Now Julius Feliciano wants the top of the podium. Toms River East standout Julius Feliciano joins New Jersey Mat Chat after an incred

070: Adam Derengowski

Adam Derengowski went 0–8 as a freshman and was pinned in every match. Four years later, he was a New Jersey State Champion. And that was only the beginning. In this ep

068: Mark Manchio

Few wrestlers in New Jersey history competed with more confidence than Mark Manchio. A 4-time New Jersey State Finalist, 3-time State Champion, Beast of the East champio

067: Eli Glover

One decision changed the course of Eli Glover's wrestling career. After struggling in middle school, Lower Cape May standout Eli Glover made the difficult decision to re

066: Geoffrey Wade

Winning matches is important. Building great people is even more important. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Palmyra head wrestling coach Geoff Wade shares his ph

065: Jayden & Soma Jardine

Jayden Jardine didn't grow up wrestling. He didn't start until 7th grade, but through hard work, determination, and the support of his family, he's developed into one of

064: Gabe & Roman Onorato

Is Division II college wrestling one of the best-kept secrets in the sport? Former Drexel wrestler and Glenville State assistant coach Gabe Onorato joins his younger bro

063: Tristan Rosemeyer

He's been one match away from the podium two years in a row. Now, Tristan Rosemeyer is determined to break through. Lower Cape May standout Tristan Rosemeyer joins New J

062: Pat Lynch

Long before national rankings and social media, there was Pat Lynch. Known for his relentless style and unwavering confidence, Pat Lynch became one of the most dominant