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 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