Weighing In: N.J.'s ultimate high school wrestling podcast

NJ.com
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When it comes to high school wrestling, New Jersey stands unmatched. This season, NJ.com introduces "Weighing In," a weekly podcast 🎙️ dedicated to all things wrestling in the Garden State. Join our expert team of reporters — Ryan Patti, Bill Evans, Joe Zedalis, and Jake Aferiat — as they dive into the latest upsets, analyze dual matches, and preview the must-see tournaments of the weekend. Tune in for top-notch analysis and insider opinions from the reporters who know New Jersey wrestling best. "Weighing In" is your ultimate source for everything happening on the mats across the state. Don't miss an episode!

  1. MAR 18

    Recap of NJSIAA wrestling state championships in Atlantic City

    NJ.com high school wrestling reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans, Ryan Patti and Joe Zedalis break down all 14 weight classes and what happened at the NJSIAA wrestling state championships in Atlantic City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m

  2. MAR 11

    Previews for N.J. wrestling state championships in Atlantic City

    NJ.com's wrestling reporters reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans, Ryan Patti and Joe Zedalis break down all 14 weight classes ahead of the wrestling state championships in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 17m

  3. MAR 5

    Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs talks career, N.J. wrestling & 20-year state title anniversary

    In this special episode of Weighing In, NJ.com's high school wrestling podcast, Olympic and world champion Jordan Burroughs joins NJ.com reporters Jake Aferiat, Bill Evans and Ryan Patti to discuss his high school career, his Olympic and world triumphs and more. Burroughs discusses his thoughts on the New Jersey high school wrestling scene and if he's thinking about competing at the high level once again. 0:00: Olympian Jordan Burroughs joins the show. He updates what he's been doing with his life lately. 2:30: It's been 20 years since he won his lone state title at Winslow High School. Burroughs talks about how that helped his trajectory to become an NCAA Champion, an Olympic Champion, and a World Champion. 7:55: Is the 2006 class of state champions the best in New Jersey history? Jordan discusses what made that class so special, including living the lifestyle of wanting to be great. 10:20: Jordan only won one state title in high school before going on and having one of the most decorated wrestling careers in American history. Wrestling in New Jersey helped mold him and push him to become better and better. 17:50: He hasn't wrestled in a year and a half. What's next? He's 37 years old, and he still wrestles a few times a week. He's still competitive and still loves it, but trying to be the best starts to wane on you as you get older. 21:00: Jordan's academy is up and running with athletes across the youth level to the high school level. Over 100 wrestlers are currently enrolled in the academy. It's humming. 24:30: How does South Jersey get more out of wrestling on the stage statewide and start getting back on the map? The tagline of the academy is "Where character meets competition," and they are trying to mold the future wrestlers coming up. 29:10: Can you still be a public school wrestler and be a standout with all the Non-Public programs out there right now, especially when all of the top talent seems to be funneled to the Non-Public schools? 32:00: Kids are starting to wrestle at younger and younger ages with hiring private coaches or joining academies. Jordan said that's a huge change compared to when he was growing up, when he was playing different sports before falling in love with wrestling. 37:20: Jordan said he's had some interest in coaching at the college level and beyond, but he's in a great spot right now, molding the next generation of wrestlers. 42:50: How important is remembering the past wrestlers who helped pave the way for him and the future generation? 48:30: Jordan took a photo with Anthony Knox at Rutgers. Can Rutgers become a national power if it keeps its best talent in-state? 52:50: Jordan has five kids. How many of them will wrestle, and when will we see them on the mat? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min

  4. MAR 4

    A seismic shift in N.J. wrestling, Chase Hansen chases history & more

    In this episode of Weighing In, NJ.com's high school wrestling podcast, NJ.com reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans, Ryan Patti and Joe Zedalis break down District Saturday last weekend, which included teams and wrestlers from around the state that caught their attention, including one of the best in the state moving up to 215 pounds. Lower Cape May's Chase Hansen joins the show to discuss his run at history, and the reporters also break down this weekend with Region Championships on the line, as we're over a week away from the individual finals at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. 0:00: Recapping District Saturday as the first leg to Atlantic City is complete. There were plenty of teams and wrestlers that caught our reporters' eyes, including Brick Memorial's Michael Napolitano, Middletown North's Jackson Fearon and Barnegat's Gerald Miller. 4:45: District 9 had plenty of intrigue and plenty of storylines with different wrestlers. 7:00: Matt McCann at Bridgewater-Raritan was named District 14's Most Outstanding wrestler, while North Hunterdon sent 12 wrestlers through to Regions. Bound Brook had two champs, Bernards had two champs as well. Manville, which went 32-1 during the season, qualified nine for Regions. 11:05: District 27 down in South Jersey had some outstanding performances. And while District 25 was dominated by Camden Catholic, there were still some wrestlers who made some major waves. 16:00: Lower Cape May's Chase Hansen joins the show as he chases history. 33:30: There was one seismic shift at 215 as Tanner Hodgins moved up from 190 pounds to 215 for the individual tournament. It changes the landscape of both 190 and 215, and Hodgins joins a loaded weight class. 40:00: Previewing Region Championship weekend, there are plenty of intriguing Regions, including Region 5 and Region 6, with some really tough weight classes. 49:25: It's not just the Shore or North Jersey with a stacked Region as Region 7 in South Jersey is loaded as always with strong weight classes throughout. 52:00: Region 3 features the state's No. 1 team in Delbarton, who will have plenty of qualifiers for Atlantic City. But there are a couple of weight classes that could see public school wrestlers come away as Region champs, including at 138 pounds with Caldwell's Solomon Soriente. 55:00: Region 1 has some top Non-Public schools like Don Bosco Prep, St. Joseph (Mont.), Bergen Catholic and Paramus Catholic. One hundred fifty and 157 are two of the strongest weights at Region 1. 59:00: Region 8 down in Williamstown is always good and 106 is probably the best and deepest weight class at the Region. Chase Hansen and Delsea's Amari Vann at 138 will be the best final on Saturday at Region 8. 1:01:00: There could also be some wrestlers across the state that could end up winning Region titles this weekend that many people might not expect to win. Those wrestlers include Bergen Catholic's Ralphie Barca, Lawrence's Steven Ham, Keansburg's Shawn Retta, Neptune's Jarairya Jean, Rahway's Andrew Avent, New Providence's Braeden Valley, and Lower Cape May duo David Douglass and Gabe Tosto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 14m

  5. FEB 25

    Wrestling state champs crowned, can N.J. team fix team tourney? & more

    In this episode of Weighing In, NJ.com's high school wrestling podcast, reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans, Ryan Patti and Joe Zedalis recap the team wrestling state finals that happened over the weekend at Jersey Mike's Arena at Rutgers University. The reporters discuss if the team wrestling state tournament has a competitive-balance issue after seven of the eight state finals ended up being lopsided, and what the state could do to make it a more competitive field for the public school programs. Rumson-Fair Haven's Sonny Amato joins the show after he helped his team win the Group 2 state championship as he gets ready for the individual season, which starts this weekend. The reporters also preview District Saturday. 0:00: Recapping the state championship matches at Rutgers, which featured eight championship matches, including the first girls team state championship match, which Jackson Township won. There was only one matchup that was close, and that was the Group 2 final between Rumson-Fair Haven and Lower Cape May. Rumson ended up winning 35-33. 8:00: Top-ranked Delbarton beat Christian Brothers in the Non-Public A final, exorcising its demons from last year after losing to St. Joseph (Mont.). Delbarton left no question as to who the No. 1 team in the state this year is. Sean Kenny returned for CBA during the Non-Public semifinals, which should be a springboard for him next season when he’s a junior. 14:05: Southern won its fourth straight Group 5 state championship, dominating Old Bridge by winning 11 of the 14 bouts and getting bonus points in 10 bouts. Southern has a young group of wrestlers and people should expect the Group 5 dynasty to continue. 17:20: Delsea won its fifth straight Group 3 state title and Camden Catholic won the Non-Public B title with a win over Pope John. Expect Delsea to continue to build on its tradition moving forward. 20:40: Delaware Valley won its second straight Group 1 championship by beating Emerson Boro. They’ve been dominant in Group 1 the last two years. They are the first public school to finish undefeated since North Hunterdon in 2020. 24:50: Camden Catholic was the other team that finished undefeated in the state. This year’s Irish team is in the conversation as the best team in program history. 28:00: Mount Olive captured the Group 4 title with a win over Toms River East by winning nine bouts. The Marauders’ run might’ve had the toughest run of any public school going into Rutgers. 30:20: Jackson Township’s girls team made history, finishing 19-0 this season and winning the first-ever girls state final by winning nine bouts against Morris Hills. 33:00: Is there a team-tournament issue with so many blowouts during the state finals, especially this season? How do you fix it? Is there a power point issue? Are there too many groups and what kind of solution(s) could there be? 41:30: The final Top 20 team rankings are out. There were some questions as to where teams could be slotted, but the reporters feel the final 20 are the best 20 teams in the state for this season. 46:25: Rumson-Fair Haven's Sonny Amato joins the show to discuss Rumson’s Group 2 title, his Iowa commitment and more. 1:05.20: There was a massive upset during a quad before the district’s, which led to a major shakeup in the individual ranks. 1:10.45: The road to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City begins this weekend with District Saturday. There are plenty of really good matchups throughout the state in one of the 32 districts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 25m

  6. FEB 18

    Chaos reigns in wrestling state tournament with upsets galore & more

    In this episode of Weighing In, NJ.com's high school wrestling podcast, NJ.com reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans and Ryan Patti recap the first day of the state tournament, which saw plenty of chaos around the Garden State, and other teams making statements. They also take a look at Wednesday's public-school sectional finals and project which teams we will see at the team wrestling state finals at Rutgers on Sunday. 0:00: Recapping the first day of the state tournament on Monday, where public schools wrestled their quarterfinal and semifinal matchups, including the South, Group 5 section, as Southern beat Howell and Kingsway beat Washington Township. Those two teams will meet in the South, Group 5 final on Wednesday. 7:10: Kingsway got a boost to its lineup on Monday when Cole DeNick returned and wrestled for the first time in two years, winning his quarterfinal and semifinal bouts via pins. Kingsway also avenged an early-season loss to its rival in Washington Township in the semis. 10:40: There was plenty of chaos in North Jersey with seventh-seeded Passaic upsetting second-seeded North Bergen. Pompton Lakes beat Kittatinny, which had wrestled a very good schedule. River Dell had a dramatic 18-point comeback. 14:00: North Hunterdon made a statement with a dominant win over Middletown North. Morris Hills upset top-seeded Cranford on Criteria F (most forfeits) in North 2, Group 3. And Caldwell battled back against Hackettstown in North 2, Group 2. 19:55: Northern Burlington beat Central Regional in South, Group 4 after going on the road. You never know what might happen when the state wrestling tournament begins. Toms River East got revenge on Toms River South. And don't write off Brick Memorial, who is back in a familiar place. 26:00: Previewing the public sectional finals on Wednesday. What are the keys in the South, Group 5 final between Southern and Kingsway? 29:55: There are plenty of North sections to keep an eye on, including Pascack Valley and High Point meeting in the North 1, Group 2 final. Ramapo and River Dell meet in the North 1, Group 3 final, where history will be made. And Phillipsburg meets Mount Olive in one of the marquee matchups on Wednesday. 38:15: Delaware Valley and Manville are two of the lone undefeated teams left, and they will meet in the Central, Group 1 sectional final. Delaware Valley is 21-0, while Manville is 29-0. 42:15: In Central, Group 2, sixth-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven takes on Point Pleasant Boro in the sectional final. Rumson is the two-time defending Group 2 champion. 44:50: Paulsboro continues to make statements in South, Group 1, and has won 44 of the 45 sectional titles. Paulsboro faces Audubon in the sectional final on Wednesday night to win its 45th sectional title. 48:55: Projecting who we could see at Rutgers on Sunday for the team wrestling state tournament finals. Can we pencil in Delbarton and Camden Catholic to win titles in Non-Public A and Non-Public B, respectively? Lower Cape May and Rumson-Fair Haven could be on a collision course on Friday in the Group 2 state semifinals. Mount Olive and Phillipsburg is a toss-up, while North Hunterdon, Delaware Valley and Delsea are favorites to get to Rutgers as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m

  7. FEB 11

    N.J. state tournament seeding reactions, surprises & more

    In this episode of Weighing In, NJ.com's high school wrestling podcast, reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans, Ryan Patti and Joe Zedalis give their reactions to the state wrestling team tournament being seeded, including if teams are being overlooked and if there are any surprises. The reporters also give their thoughts on last week's action, which included Christian Brothers beating St. Peter's Prep and Southern staking its claim as the best public school in the state after beating Delsea. 0:00: Recapping last week, which had some massive matchups, including Christian Brothers beating St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City. They could meet again during the state tournament next week.5:00: Southern beat Delsea in a thrilling dual between the highest-ranked public school programs in the state. It came down to the last bout at 106. Delsea fought back after Southern opened up a big lead early.9:40: Weight class movement as wrestlers start to drop and change weights. Camden Catholic's Sammy Spaulding dropped to 132, and he will be the top wrestler wherever he goes. It's a really deep weight class. Southern's Levi Foote is down to 190. It's all about having options and flexibility in your lineup.19:35: The state tournament was seeded on Tuesday. Paulsboro is the No. 1 seed in South, Group 1, even though this might be a little bit of a down year for the historic program. They've won a sectional title every year other than in 2008. Lower Cape May in South, Group 2 might be the overall favorite in Group 2.27:05: A rematch between Washington Township and Kingsway is on the horizon after the two teams met during the season in a thrilling dual that Washington Township won. Howell vs. Southern is going to be a semifinal when it should've been a final.32:55: North 2, Group 4 is an intriguing section. Is North Hunterdon being overlooked in the section? A lot of talk about Middletown North and Middletown South, meanwhile, North Hunterdon has wrestled a challenging schedule. A North Hunterdon and Middletown North semifinal would be fascinating.40:30: North 2, Group 1 is another strong section with teams like Cedar Grove, Hasbrouck Heights and Hanover Park, which are the top three seeds. And Central, Group 2 is another interesting section with Rumson-Fair Haven as the No. 6 seed, who should be considered the favorite.50:25: The Non-Public seeds were released during the show. Not many surprises in both Non-Public A and B. There will be plenty of drama before the finals at Jersey Mike's Arena at Rutgers.57:35: There are some dark horses, but Kittatinny is a team that has history and could make a run in the state tournament as a No. 3 seed. Bayonne in North 2, Group 5 could be a dark horse as a No. 3 seed. And some great opening-round matches include Bergen Catholic at St. Joseph (Mont.)., Montville at River Dell and Phillipsburg at Ridge.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m

  8. FEB 5

    N.J. wrestling oddities, whose stock is rising & ‘The golden arches’

    In this episode of Weighing In, NJ.com's high school wrestling podcast, reporters Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans, Ryan Patti and Joe Zedalis discuss the action last week, which included a scary situation at Old Bridge, some wrestling oddities, big duals this weekend with the power point cutoff looming and more. Blair got revenge on Delbarton, and each of the reporters also tells you which wrestlers you should buy stock in now. 0:00: An update from Old Bridge, where girls wrestler Adriana Maria sustained a serious spinal injury last Saturday, reporting severe neck pain. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with medical expenses and her recovery. 4:15: Recapping last week's action, including the top two teams in the Shore Conference going at it as Christian Brothers dominated Southern. CBA is at a different level compared to everyone else in the Shore Conference. And is the gap getting larger between Non-Public schools and public schools? 8:50: Delbarton and Blair went at it, and Blair got its revenge after losing to Delbarton last season. Does this end Delbarton's quest to finish No. 1 in the country, and if Blair was an NJSIAA school, would they get all 14 weight classes to Boardwalk Hall? 12:35: South Jersey had a strong week, with standout performances by Kingsway, Lower Cape May and St. Augustine. LCM is really good and is only getting better. Delsea is still the favorite in Group 3 and LCM can win a state title this year. There's belief they can give South Jersey two state champs. 17:30: The power points cutoff is this weekend, and right now, there could be some interesting matchups, including Southern and Howell meeting in a sectional semifinal in South, Group 5. And South, Group 1 is open and Central, Group 1 is another potentially intriguing section and North 1, Group 3 is pound-for-pound one of the top sections to keep an eye on. Kittatinny extended its season in North 1, Group 1. 31:10: There were a couple of wrestling oddities that happened last week, including one match going to criteria nine, which was Lenape Valley and Mountain Lakes. Colts Neck won two matches via penalty points. 36:05: Updated individual ranks are out. Not many changes, but there are some significant returners, including Jojo Burke from St. Joseph (Mont.), who comes in at No. 2 at 120. St. Peter's Prep's Laudan Henry is also back from injury at 144. 44:15: There are a handful of wrestlers that you should buy stock in now, including Bergen Catholic's Anthony Riotto, St. Augustine's Casey Pekula, Caldwell's Solomon Sorriente, Seton Hall Prep's Rocco Salerno and Rumson-Fair Haven's Wyatt Fry. 54:35: It's a big week coming up because of the power points cutoff, but some other top matchups on deck, including CBA taking on St. Peter's Prep in a matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the state. On Saturday, the top two public schools in the state meet as Southern hosts Delsea, which NJ.com is broadcasting live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m
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About

When it comes to high school wrestling, New Jersey stands unmatched. This season, NJ.com introduces "Weighing In," a weekly podcast 🎙️ dedicated to all things wrestling in the Garden State. Join our expert team of reporters — Ryan Patti, Bill Evans, Joe Zedalis, and Jake Aferiat — as they dive into the latest upsets, analyze dual matches, and preview the must-see tournaments of the weekend. Tune in for top-notch analysis and insider opinions from the reporters who know New Jersey wrestling best. "Weighing In" is your ultimate source for everything happening on the mats across the state. Don't miss an episode!

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