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by Peter Normandia
The #1 video podcast and content provider for New Jersey high school wrestling. Up close, in depth and uncensored.
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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 at Middletown North and has helped build a program producing state champions, state qualifiers and wrestlers who have gone on to succeed at the Division I level.But Morley's definition of successful coaching goes well beyond wins.In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat: Coach's Corner, Morley gets into the realities of building a high school wrestling program in one of the toughest wrestling areas in the country.00:00 The Godfather of MMA01:07 Meet Middletown North Coach Eric Morley01:20 How He Became Middletown North’s Head Coach02:18 Going 0-8 in His First Year Wrestling03:28 Coaching Soccer AND Wrestling04:07 Why Wrestling Never Really Turns Off05:12 Coaching Soccer Players vs. Wrestlers06:05 Why Wrestling Builds Something Bigger07:05 The Middletown North Wrestling Culture08:12 Coach Morley’s Wrestling Philosophy09:18 Breaking Opponents Mentally09:50 Are High School Wrestlers Competing Too Much?11:02 Why Kids Need More Time in the Wrestling Room12:26 What Makes the Shore Conference Different13:21 Building an Atmosphere at Middletown North14:14 Why Teams Avoid Wrestling Each Other14:37 Taking Middletown North to Beast of the East15:14 The Brotherhood Between Wrestling Coaches16:03 When Should Coaches Start Thinking About Weight?17:38 Team Season vs. Individual Season18:24 Developing State Champions — and Everyone Else19:42 Wrestling Has Very Little to Do With Wrestling20:42 Tyler Klinsky’s Journey to NCAA All-American23:20 The Problems With NJ Wrestling’s Constant Changes25:00 Scheduling Around Districts & Regions26:32 Why Coaches Avoid Tough Competition26:41 Are 100 Career Wins What They Used to Be?27:02 Why Middletown North Schedules Tough28:31 Sometimes You Need to Get Your Butt Kicked29:17 Coaching Two Sports With a Growing Family31:12 The Best Wrestling Gyms in New Jersey32:15 How Many Weight Classes Should Wrestling Have?33:52 Stop Avoiding the Big Matchups34:36 Why Losing Before States Can Make You Better36:44 Finding Tough Matches Within Dual Meets38:13 Why Eric Morley Wouldn’t Let Jackson Fearon Quit40:18 The Victories Nobody Sees42:07 Could Eric Morley Become a Wrestling Official?44:05 Greatest NJ High School Wrestler Ever?45:03 What Actually Makes a Wrestler Great?46:33 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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.Practice.Go home.Nap.Then go to another practice.Eventually, he'd had enough.Jackson stopped showing up to practice.Coach Morley wasn't having it.He sent Jackson's brother and teammates to his HOUSE to get him and bring him back to the wrestling room.Jackson stayed.He moved up in weight.And everything changed.As a junior, Jackson exploded to a 43-7 season, won Districts, won Region 5 and made his first trip to the NJ State Championships in Atlantic City.Now he's entering his senior year with one goal:🏆 Become an NJ State Champion.In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Jackson talks about:🤼 Nearly walking away from wrestling⚖️ The brutal weight cut that almost ended his career🚗 His teammates showing up at his house to bring him to practice📈 His breakout 43-7 junior season🏆 Winning Districts and Region 5🥋 Growing up around MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu👊 His father's background as a professional MMA fighter🤼 Growing up in the Middletown North wrestling system🔥 The mentality inside the Middletown North room🏟️ His first experience wrestling in Atlantic City💔 The heartbreaking match that ended his state tournament🎯 Why that loss changed his goals for senior year💪 Improving his diet, conditioning and training🔄 Changing his wrestling arsenal during the offseason🤼 Training with different wrestlers and clubs around New Jersey🎓 His thoughts on wrestling in college🏈 Walking away from football to focus on wrestlingAt the end, we asked Jackson a simple question:When your Middletown North career is over, what do you want people to say about Jackson Fearon?His answer:“I did it.”That's it.State Champion.One season left to make it happen.🤼 Guest: Jackson Fearon🏫 Middletown North🏆 District Champion🏆 Region 5 Champion📈 43-7 Junior Season🎯 Goal: NJ State ChampionSubscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the wrestlers, coaches and legends shaping New Jersey wrestling.••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com00:00 Intro / Champion Athletes Nutrition01:26 Meet Middletown North’s Jackson Fearon01:36 The Jump to a 43-7 Junior Season02:31 The Weight Cut That Made Him Want to Quit03:55 Growing Up Around MMA & Jiu-Jitsu05:40 His Rough Start in Wrestling06:45 When Jackson Realized He Was Good07:03 Why He Almost Left Middletown North07:43 Inside the Middletown North Wrestling Room09:01 His First Trip to Atlantic City10:12 The Match He Wants Back11:30 Senior Year Goal: NJ State Champion11:48 Will He Wrestle in College?12:12 Building a Better Version for Senior Year12:42 Changing His Wrestling Style13:18 Training at Different NJ Wrestling Clubs14:12 Middletown North’s 2027 Team14:22 Walking Away From Football14:56 “I Did It.”15:09 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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 reached the New Jersey high school state final as a freshman — and lost.He came back as a sophomore.Made the final again.And lost again.But those losses became part of the reason Pat Glory eventually reached the top of college wrestling.In this episode of the New Jersey Mat Chat Legends Series, Pat takes us through the entire journey — from a 50-pound youth wrestler in Randolph, NJ to Delbarton, Princeton University and ultimately the top of the NCAA podium.One of the most powerful things Pat says in this conversation is that he doesn't know if he ever becomes an NCAA Champion without losing those first two New Jersey state finals.Pat Glory's career is proof that coming up short doesn't have to be the end of the story.Sometimes it's what builds the champion.🤼 Guest: Pat Glory🏫 Delbarton School🐯 Princeton University🏆 2X NJ State Champion🥈 4X NJ State Finalist🥈 NCAA Finalist🏆 2023 NCAA National ChampionSubscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the wrestlers, coaches and legends who built — and continue to shape — New Jersey wrestling.••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition01:22 Meet NCAA Champion Pat Glory02:10 Growing Up in Randolph, NJ03:05 How Wrestling Became His Sport04:35 Choosing Delbarton Over Randolph05:50 Why Delbarton Was the Right Choice07:28 Entering High School at 14 Years Old08:11 His Early Wrestling Struggles09:33 Three Youth State Finals — Zero Titles09:52 The Pressure to Become a 4X State Champion10:57 Learning to Separate Results From the Process12:25 Losing the NJ State Final as a Freshman13:00 The Sophomore State Final vs. Sebastian Rivera14:20 Two State Finals. Two Losses.15:31 Turning to a Sports Psychologist18:39 How Mental Training Changed His Wrestling19:22 Why Pat Wouldn’t Change His High School Losses21:06 Looking Back at His Delbarton Career22:18 Why Princeton Became the Choice23:48 Princeton’s Search for Its First NCAA Champion25:39 Balancing Princeton Academics & Division I Wrestling27:13 NCAA Final vs. Nick Suriano31:08 The Injury That Changed the Suriano Final34:02 Wrestling Through the Final Seconds36:06 Cutting From 150 to 125 Pounds37:44 Why He Stayed at 12538:45 Preparing for Spencer Lee40:25 Finding Out Spencer Lee Lost41:29 Preparing for Matt Ramos Instead43:30 Becoming an NCAA Champion45:43 Celebrating the National Championship47:20 Why Pat Walked Away From Wrestling49:12 Life After Wrestling in Manhattan50:46 Greatest NJ High School Wrestler Ever?52:09 Could Pat Glory Become a Coach?53:07 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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 with bigger expectations.Joey joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about growing up in one of North Jersey's traditional wrestling communities, his journey through high school wrestling, his state-final loss—and why his entire senior season is being built around finishing the job.And Joey isn't hiding what he expects:🏆 Win Beast of the East🏆 Win Escape the Rock🏆 Win an NJ State Championship🔥 Go undefeatedIn this episode, Joey talks about:🤼 Starting wrestling at just four years old💪 Why he's always been physically advanced for his age🏈 Giving up football to go all-in on his state-title chase🏫 The wrestling tradition and expectations at Hanover Park🔥 His “in your face for six minutes” wrestling style🤼 How Rich Patito, Diego Crespo and Nicky Raimo influenced his wrestling💥 Training at Ruthless Wrestling🏆 Entering high school expecting to become a state champion🥈 His run to the NJ state final last season😤 Why being a state runner-up still isn't a win in his mind🎯 His goal of going undefeated as a senior🏟️ The atmosphere inside Hanover Park wrestling🎓 His goal of wrestling Division I in college🥇 Why he believes he can eventually make a run at an NCAA final⚖️ His thoughts on wrestling's changing rules🍝 Cutting weight in a traditional Italian family❤️ The huge Monticello family contingent that follows him to Atlantic CityOne thing becomes pretty clear talking to Joey:He's not interested in almost.Last season ended one match short of his goal.Now he gets one more shot.🤼 Guest: Joey Monticello🏫 Hanover Park High School🥈 NJ State Finalist🎯 Goal: NJ State ChampionSubscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the wrestlers, coaches and legends shaping New Jersey wrestling.••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition01:22 Meet Hanover Park’s Joey Monticello02:43 Growing Up in a Hanover Park Wrestling Town03:38 Starting Wrestling at Four Years Old04:39 Being Bigger & Stronger From a Young Age05:56 Playing Football as a Junior06:28 Why He Gave Up Football for Wrestling07:50 The Expectations at Hanover Park08:25 School, Grades & an Interest in Finance09:19 Joey’s Wrestling Style: Six Minutes in Your Face10:10 How Ruthless Wrestling Changed His Game12:35 Training Inside the Ruthless Room13:21 Entering High School Expecting to Win States14:39 Realizing High School Wrestling Was Different15:57 His Run to the NJ State Finals16:34 The State Final Against Canova17:20 Why Second Place Isn’t Good Enough17:42 Senior Year Goal: Go Undefeated18:10 Treating Every Match Like an Olympic Final19:11 The Atmosphere at Hanover Park20:47 College Wrestling & Division I Goals22:17 How Far From Home Will He Go?23:15 Freestyle, Greco & His Wrestling Style24:16 Understanding Wrestling’s Changing Rules25:08 The One Wrestling Rule He Would Change26:12 Mom, Dad & the Monticello Wrestling Machine27:17 Cutting Weight in an Italian Family28:37 The Monticello Family Takes Over Atlantic City29:33 Life Away From Wrestling30:17 What’s Next for Joey & Hanover Park30:51 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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 the life and legacy of Johnny Martin, the 1992 New Jersey State Champion from Absegami High School.Johnny Martin's life was cut far too short, but more than three decades after he won his New Jersey state championship, the wrestlers who competed against him, trained beside him and grew up watching him still remember.That's a legacy.Legends Never Die.🤼 Johnny Martin🏫 Absegami High School — Class of 1992🏆 1992 New Jersey State Champion📈 123-8 High School Record⭐ Oklahoma State Wrestling00:00 Legends Never Die: The Story of Johnny Martin01:05 1992 State Final: Johnny Martin vs. Jay Nase02:04 Jay Nase Remembers His State Finals Opponent03:36 “He Was Lightning Fast”05:49 The Heart & Work Ethic Wrestling Reveals07:37 One Word for Johnny: Speed09:15 How Johnny’s Passing Affected Jay Nase11:12 Johnny’s Brother Joe Martin12:41 How Johnny Got Started in Wrestling14:45 Meeting John Smith in Seventh Grade15:28 Johnny’s Dream: Oklahoma State16:51 His College Career & Leaving Oklahoma State17:58 The Back Injury That Changed Everything19:55 Doctors Tell Johnny His Wrestling Career Is Over20:40 The Cancer Diagnosis22:19 Fighting Cancer & Returning to the Wrestling Room23:42 The Conversations Between Two Brothers24:36 “The Closest Thing I Have to Having My Own”25:03 One Word for Johnny: Driven26:48 A Surprise Call With John Smith28:48 John Smith Remembers Johnny Martin31:31 Why NJ Wrestlers Fit at Oklahoma State32:50 The Malatesta Family & an Incredible Wrestling Story35:40 A Young Johnny Idolizes Bobby Malatesta Jr.36:52 Bobby Wins the 1985 NJ State Championship37:21 The Medal That Changed Johnny’s Life38:12 Johnny Fulfills the Promise39:13 Honoring Johnny After His Passing41:36 The Two State Championship Medals42:28 “I Knew That Was Going to Be His Day”43:41 One Word for Johnny: Determined44:51 Sean Scannell: The Next Generation at Absegami46:43 How Johnny Paved the Way48:12 Remembering the Day Johnny Passed49:29 Carrying Johnny’s Memory Into College50:39 One Word for Johnny: Innovator52:55 Teammate Bernie Tenet Remembers Johnny53:46 Visiting Johnny During His Battle With Cancer55:07 Johnny’s Oklahoma State Dream55:58 One Word for Johnny: Awesome57:45 George Florence Remembers His Teammate59:21 Watching Johnny Win the 1992 State Title01:01:09 Visiting Johnny at Oklahoma State01:04:24 Learning From the Best Wrestlers in the World01:06:47 Johnny Martin vs. Cary Kolat01:09:06 One Word for Johnny: Elite01:10:25 Kathy Barber Remembers Johnny01:12:48 Johnny’s Letters From College01:13:26 Their AOL Instant Messenger Conversations01:14:02 “The Fastest Ankle Pick I’ve Ever Seen”01:14:21 Johnny & Legendary Coach Gene Barber01:15:09 One Word for Johnny: Humble01:17:55 Thank You to the Martin Family01:18:22 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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 Championship.Toms River East standout Jayce Cappello joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about his rapid rise in New Jersey high school wrestling, balancing two sports, and why he's choosing wrestling as the path he wants to pursue at the next level.Jayce entered his freshman season with virtually no expectations—and ended it wrestling at the NJ State Championships. After placing the following year, he's entering his junior season with a completely different mindset.In this episode:⚾ Growing up as a serious baseball player🤼 When he realized he could be really good at wrestling🔥 Making States as a freshman💪 How athleticism, scrambling and conditioning helped close the experience gap⚾ Balancing high school baseball with year-round wrestling❤️ Why he ultimately fell in love with wrestling🎓 Choosing wrestling over baseball if he gets the opportunity in college🤼 Training at Shore Thing and Top Dog🏫 Why he chose to stay at Toms River East instead of going private🧠 How Coach Mark Grey transformed his wrestling💪 Why Toms River East believes toughness can separate them this season⚖️ His approach to weight cutting😂 Life inside the Toms River East wrestling room🏆 His goal of becoming a New Jersey State Champion🧠 The mental work he believes will get him thereJayce also talks about the expectations surrounding Toms River East wrestling this season and why he believes their difficult schedule will have them battle-tested when the postseason arrives.This is a great conversation for young athletes who don't necessarily specialize in wrestling from the time they're five years old. Jayce's development shows what can happen when athletic ability meets the right coaching, training partners and commitment.🤼 Guest: Jayce Cappello🏫 Toms River East Wrestling🎯 Goal: NJ State ChampionSubscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the wrestlers, coaches and legends shaping New Jersey high school wrestling.••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition01:22 Meet Toms River East’s Jayce Cappello01:48 Big Expectations for Toms River East03:10 When Wrestling Became Serious03:39 Making States as a Freshman04:09 How Athleticism Helped His Wrestling05:29 Balancing Baseball & Wrestling06:17 Why He Fell in Love With Wrestling07:33 Baseball vs. Wrestling: Which Helps More?08:15 Choosing Wrestling for College08:28 Training at Shore Thing & Top Dog09:36 Why He Chose Public School10:18 The Impact of Coach Mark Grey11:03 Inside the Toms River East Wrestling Room12:11 Why He Doesn’t Cut Much Weight13:24 Turning His Family Into Wrestling Fans14:29 The Toms River East Team Clown15:19 The Goal: Win an NJ State Title16:35 The Mental Side of Wrestling17:30 Wrestling vs. Baseball Officiating18:18 His Family’s Toms River Baseball Connection19:19 Coaches, Family & Final Thoughts19:55 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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 Chat: Coach’s Corner for a wide-ranging conversation about coaching, toughness, athlete development and some of the biggest issues facing NJ wrestling.Billy grew up in Cape May, competed in wrestling and football at the college level, and eventually returned home to coach the next generation at Lower Cape May.But this conversation goes well beyond his own career.Billy believes coaches have a responsibility to create an environment that challenges young athletes, makes them tougher and prepares them for far more than winning wrestling matches.🤼 Guest: Billy Damiana🏫 Lower Cape May Regional🤼 Head Wrestling Coach🏈 Head Football CoachSubscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the wrestlers, coaches and legends shaping New Jersey wrestling.#NJWrestling #NewJerseyMatChat #BillyDamiana #LowerCapeMay #LowerCapeMayWrestling #NJHighSchoolWrestling #SouthJerseyWrestling #WrestlingPodcast••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition01:22 Meet Lower Cape May Coach Billy Damiana01:49 Growing Up in Cape May04:20 From Being Bullied to Martial Arts & Wrestling06:10 Choosing Division I Wrestling07:23 College Wrestling, Football & Coming Home08:36 Teaching at Lower Cape May10:12 Becoming a Wrestling Coach12:19 Learning to Coach at Buena Regional14:27 Coaching Football & Wrestling Year-Round17:00 What Football and Wrestling Teach Each Other20:02 What Makes an Elite Athlete?22:48 Why Coaching Is Really About the Kids25:25 The Relationships That Last After Wrestling27:07 Why Coaches Need to Stop Ducking Matches28:17 Growing Wrestling Means Wrestling the Big Matches31:24 What Happened to Packed NJ Wrestling Gyms?32:34 NJ Realignment: Did We Get It Wrong?33:59 Should 4th Place Advance to States?35:35 The Disappearance of Multi-Sport Wrestlers38:00 Are Today’s Wrestlers Better — But the Path Easier?40:18 The Scariest Match of Wrestling Season41:10 Why One-Day Districts Need to Go42:09 Is 100 Career Wins Still a Big Milestone?43:31 Chase Hansen: Wins, Goals & Taking Ownership as a Coach47:07 Roasting Tristan Rosemeyer & Eli Glover48:33 The Culture Inside Lower Cape May Wrestling51:01 Greatest NJ High School Wrestler Ever?52:28 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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 competing across the border at Conwell-Egan in Pennsylvania, reaching the state blood round as a freshman and placing Top 8 in PA as a sophomore.Now he's coming home.MJ is transferring to St. John Vianney, stepping into the Shore Conference and setting one very clear goal for his first season wrestling high school in New Jersey:🏆 Win an NJ State Championship.In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, MJ talks about:🤼 Why he originally left NJ to wrestle at Conwell-Egan🏠 Living away from home during wrestling season🔥 Training with Pennsylvania wrestlers at NPR🥇 His first two runs through the PA postseason➡️ Why he decided it was time to return to New Jersey🦁 Choosing St. John Vianney🌊 What he expects from Shore Conference wrestling⚖️ The differences between Pennsylvania and New Jersey wrestling🤼 Why his funky, scrambling style is better suited for folkstyle💪 Training at Frost, Duro and NPR🧠 The coach who's had the biggest influence on his career🏆 His goal of becoming a New Jersey State Champion💥 The intense strength and conditioning program he does with his father🎓 His interest in forensic science🐯 Training at Princeton and his goal of wrestling in the Ivy LeagueMJ has spent years wrestling and training around high-level competition on both sides of the Delaware.Now New Jersey gets to see what he can do.Welcome home, MJ.🤼 Guest: MJ Gorrell🏫 St. John Vianney📍 Somerset, NJ🏆 PA State Top-8 Finisher🎯 Goal: NJ State ChampionSubscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the wrestlers, coaches and legends shaping New Jersey wrestling.••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition01:22 Meet MJ Gorrell01:41 Leaving NJ to Wrestle at Conwell-Egan03:00 Training at NPR & Wrestling in Pennsylvania04:05 PA State Tournament Success04:48 Living Away From Home During Wrestling Season05:51 Why He’s Coming Back to New Jersey06:53 Choosing St. John Vianney07:49 What MJ Expects From NJ Wrestling09:28 Entering the Shore Conference10:24 Academics & Life After Wrestling11:09 Freestyle vs. Folkstyle12:32 Training at Frost, Duro & NPR13:36 PA vs. NJ Wrestling Rules15:35 Getting to Know His New SJV Teammates16:36 His Biggest Coaching Influence17:52 The Goal: Win an NJ State Title19:18 How His Dad Drives His Training20:08 MJ’s Wrestling Style20:48 State Title or Bust?21:19 His Dream Training Partner22:04 Princeton & Ivy League Goals22:52 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro
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