New Jersey Mat Chat

Most wrestlers would've shut it down. Noah Hernandez kept competing. Seton Hall Prep standout Noah Hernandez joins New Jersey Mat Chat to share the story of wrestling through a torn elbow during the postseason, winning a district title, finishing as a regional runner-up, and earning a trip to the New Jersey State Championships. In this episode, Noah talks about: 🔥 Why he chose Seton Hall Prep ove...

What really happens between coaches and officials during a wrestling match? For the first-ever New Jersey Mat Chat Coaches Roundtable, veteran wrestling official Gary Wade sits down with two of South Jersey's most respected coaches — Mike Ahern (Audubon) and Mike Lamb (Haddonfield) — for an honest conversation about the relationship between coaches and referees. Nothing is off limits. They discuss...

From discovering wrestling in 8th grade to becoming a 3-time New Jersey State Champion, a Penn State All-American, a Division I football player, and eventually training alongside Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, David Taylor, and Bo Nickal, Jimmy's story is one of the most unique in NJ wrestling history. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Jimmy discusses: 🔥 Growing up in Manchester Wrestling...

This is one of the most passionate conversations we've ever had on New Jersey Mat Chat. Gateway Wrestling head coach Jim Rutter shares the incredible story of how he built a wrestling program, overcame unimaginable family tragedy, and dedicated his life to mentoring generations of wrestlers in South Jersey. But this episode goes far beyond one coach's story. Coach Rutter gives his honest opinions...

Tyler Going's story is one every New Jersey wrestler can relate to. He wasn't the youth phenom. He wasn't the kid winning everything growing up. In fact, he lost a wrestle-off as a freshman and spent years watching teammates achieve goals he wanted for himself. But through consistency, offseason work, and a love for the sport, Tyler transformed himself into a New Jersey State Placewinner for Howel...

A state title. Four state placers. A state champion. Not a bad first year. New Delsea head coach Kurt DeWoody joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about taking over one of New Jersey's most successful wrestling programs and navigating the pressure that comes with it. In this episode, Coach DeWoody discusses: 🔥 Winning a state championship in his first season as head coach 🔥 Learning from Mike Barik...

One year he was leaving Atlantic City disappointed. The next year he was standing on top of the podium. CBA standout and Iowa commit Bobby Duffy joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down the journey that led him from heartbreak at the New Jersey State Championships to becoming a New Jersey State Champion. In this episode, Bobby discusses: 🔥 Missing the podium as a freshman 🔥 The mindset shift that...

Few people in New Jersey wrestling have lived as many sides of the sport as Mark Grey. From becoming the first-ever 4-time Beast of the East Champion, to wrestling at Blair Academy, competing internationally, wrestling at Cornell, fighting professionally in MMA, and now leading Toms River East Wrestling, Mark Grey has seen it all. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, we dive into: 🔥 Why he cho...

Four straight group titles. A top-ranked Delsea team. And now, Division I wrestling at Drexel. Delsea standout Sal Marchese joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about one of the most successful eras in South Jersey wrestling and what comes next as he prepares for college wrestling. In this episode, Sal discusses: 🔥 Delsea's fifth straight group championship 🔥 Why his freshman team was the best Dels...

What separates a New Jersey state champion from everyone else? According to Gene Zannetti, it isn't always technique, strength, or conditioning. It's mindset. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Gene Zannetti of Wrestling Mindset joins us at Shore Thing Wrestling Club for a deep conversation about confidence, discipline, pressure, mental toughness, and what it really takes to maximize your pot...

Two years ago, Teddy Sims wasn't placing at tournaments. Today, he's one of South Jersey's top young wrestlers. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Teddy talks about his journey from struggling as a beginner to becoming a South Jersey Wrestling League finalist and one of the most dedicated young wrestlers in the region. We cover: 🔥 Winning the South Jersey Wrestling League 🔥 Competing at Sup...

One of South Jersey wrestling’s most respected club coaches joins New Jersey Mat Chat. John Van Brill sits down to talk about: • Growing up at Clearview • Wrestling at Rutgers • How J-Rob camp changed his life • Why South Jersey wrestling has fallen behind • The politics of offseason wrestling in NJ • Building Seagull Wrestling Club into a powerhouse • Why mindset, culture & community matter m...

One of New Jersey’s top freshman wrestlers just gave a glimpse into the future. Southern Regional standout Jonas Lusker joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about: • Wrestling in one of NJ’s toughest rooms • Winning districts & regions as a freshman • Placing 4th in New Jersey • The pressure of wrestling at Southern • Weight cutting, mindset & mental health • Southern vs Howell • Freestyle, S...

This is one of the deepest wrestling conversations we’ve had yet. Kingsway head coach Mike Barikian joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about: • Growing up in South Jersey wrestling • Finishing 4th in the state • Wrestling at Navy • Leadership lessons from the Marine Corps • Building Kingsway into a powerhouse • Why culture matters more than talent • The REAL problems with NJ wrestling today Coach B...

“I hated wrestling for two years.” Lenape standout Owen Boyle joins New Jersey Mat Chat for one of the most honest conversations yet — opening up about burnout, confidence, weight cuts, and eventually learning how to enjoy wrestling again. In this episode, Owen talks about: • Feeling unfulfilled despite success • Why he wishes he trained in tougher rooms earlier • The mental side of wrestling • Cr...

Coach Mike Ahern joins New Jersey Mat Chat for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet. From wrestling under legendary coach Gary Papa at Paul VI… to coaching state champions… to stepping away from wrestling after personal tragedy… Coach Ahern opens up about everything that shaped him. This episode covers: • Old-school South Jersey wrestling culture • Coaching legends like Mark Manchio...

From 95 pounds as a freshman… to standing on top of New Jersey. Middletown North state champion Tommy Blewett joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down his journey to becoming one of the best wrestlers in the state at 106 pounds. In this episode, Tommy talks about: • Growing up undersized • Finally putting on weight • Cutting weight for the first time • Wrestling alongside his brother • Going 50-1 a...

rom NJ state champion… to Division I football… to the NFL… and back to coaching the next generation. Kevin Landolt joins New Jersey Mat Chat to tell the full story of his journey through wrestling, football, and life after sports. In this episode we cover: • Old-school NJ wrestling before clubs existed • Winning a state title at Holy Cross • Playing football at West Virginia • Getting drafted by t...

Two brothers. One path. And now… it’s their turn. The Ross Twins (Thomas & John) join New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about their journey, their bond, and what’s next as they prepare to enter one of the toughest wrestling rooms in the country at CBA. This episode goes deeper than wrestling: • Growing up as twins • Battling serious health issues early in life • Choosing the right high school progra...

Ricky DiLorenzo breaks down his journey from a lightly competing youth wrestler to a New Jersey state placer and one of the toughest competitors in the state. In this episode, we cover: • His rise at Toms River East • The impact of Coach Mark Gray on the program • Why he doesn’t overcomplicate training • Balancing a 4.6 GPA with high-level wrestling • His state tournament run (and tough losses) •...

From getting beat up as a kid… to standing on top of New Jersey. Gideon Gonzalez joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down his journey to becoming a New Jersey State Champion at 138 lbs — and what it really took to get there. We dive into: • Growing up in a wrestling family • The pressure of carrying a name • Fargo & Greco success translating to folkstyle • Bergen Catholic vs St. Joe’s rivalry •...

Some wrestlers compete with doubt. Others don’t. Luke Johnston joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down the mindset behind his approach to wrestling — one built on confidence and preparation. And a pace like no other. We talk about what separates good wrestlers from great ones, how he handles pressure in big matches, and the habits that build real consistency on and off the mat. This episode isn’t...

He didn’t grow up wrestling. He didn’t start early. And he still made the state finals. Paulsboro standout Will Cruz joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down his journey from starting the sport in 7th grade to becoming one of the top wrestlers in New Jersey. We talk about wrestling up for the team, dealing with losses at districts and regions, earning the #1 seed at states, and making a run to the...

This one is different. Greyson Pettit joins New Jersey Mat Chat to share a story no athlete ever expects to tell — the moment everything changed, and how he’s fought back from it. We talk about the mental side of wrestling that doesn’t get seen… dealing with setbacks, staying connected to the sport, and what it really takes to keep going when things don’t go your way. This isn’t just about wrestli...

Delsea standout Amari Vann joins New Jersey Mat Chat for an honest, unfiltered conversation about wrestling, leadership, nutrition, and big goals. Amari talks openly about missing last year’s postseason, learning from weight cutting mistakes, and how he’s turned things around this season. He breaks down his role as a team captain, his college wrestling ambitions, freestyle dreams, and what it will...