New Jersey Mat Chat

Peter Normandia
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Wrestling
  • Updated Weekly

The #1 video podcast and content provider for New Jersey high school wrestling. Up close, in depth and uncensored.

  1. 1d ago

    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 incredible freshman season that ended with a 4th-place finish at the New Jersey State Championships in Atlantic City. And he's nowhere near satisfied. Julius takes us through his journey from discovering wrestling because of **WWE at seven years old to becoming one of New Jersey's top young high school wrestlers. We get into: 🤼 How watching WWE accidentally introduced him to wrestling 🔥 Why he chose Toms River East and Coach Mark Grey 💪 Training at Top Dog, Dragon and Shore Thing ⚔️ Starting his high school career against elite competition 🏆 His run through districts and regions 🌊 Walking into Atlantic City for the first time 🥇 Placing 4th in New Jersey as a freshman 🎯 What he believes he needs to improve to WIN a state title 🔥 Winning his match at the NJ Wrestling Showcase ⚖️ Moving toward 126 pounds for the upcoming season 🏆 Toms River East's goal of winning a Group 4 State Championship 💪 His relentless offseason training schedule 🤼 Why he's interested in adding Greco to his game ❤️ The family members and coaches behind his success 🧠 His simple advice to nervous incoming freshmen: Have fun. Julius brings plenty of personality, but underneath it is a wrestler with huge expectations for himself. He reached the podium in Atlantic City during his first high school season. Now the question is: How high can he climb? 🤼 Guest: Julius Feliciano 🏫 Toms River High School East 🏆 4th Place — NJ State Championships 🎯 Next Goal: NJ State Champion Subscribe 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.com 00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition 01:25 Meet Toms River East’s Julius Feliciano 02:17 How WWE Got Him Into Wrestling 03:08 Reclassing & Choosing Toms River East 04:12 Training at Top Dog, Dragon & Shore Thing 05:43 Entering High School With State Title Expectations 06:50 Starting His Freshman Season Against Shiloh 08:15 Inside the Toms River East Wrestling Room 08:57 Districts, Regions & the Road to Atlantic City 09:32 His First Experience at the NJ State Championships 10:43 Placing 4th in NJ as a Freshman 11:20 What He Needs to Become a State Champion 11:52 Winning at the NJ Wrestling Showcase 12:31 Looking Ahead to 126 Pounds 13:26 Toms River East’s Group 4 Championship Goals 14:49 His Insane Offseason Training Schedule 15:43 Freestyle, Greco & Expanding His Wrestling 16:35 The Family Behind His Success 17:20 His Advice to Incoming Freshmen: Have Fun 17:52 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro

    071: Julius Feliciano

  2. 4d ago

    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 episode of the New Jersey Mat Chat Legends Series, former Paul VI standout and Rider NCAA All-American Adam Derengowski tells the incredible story of how hard work, dedication and persistence transformed his wrestling career. Adam didn't start wrestling until his freshman year of high school. After going winless his first season and then losing in the first round of districts as a junior, he made a decision: go all-in. One year later, he found himself wrestling two-time defending state champion Dave Boncher for a New Jersey State Championship. We get into: 🤼 Going 0–8 and getting pinned eight times as a freshman 🔥 The district loss that completely changed his mentality 🎬 How Vision Quest became part of his own wrestling journey 🏆 His incredible run to a New Jersey State Championship ⚔️ Taking down two-time champion Dave Boncher 🔄 Developing the tilt system that became his trademark 🎓 How Temple dropping wrestling unexpectedly led him to Rider 🐴 Becoming an NCAA All-American at Rider 💪 Training with two-time NCAA Champion Jack Cuvo 🦊 Entering the legendary Foxcatcher wrestling room 🌎 Competing internationally in freestyle 🌪️ Getting hired by Iowa State immediately after college 🧠 Why hard work, dedication and persistence remain his three pillars for success 🏆 His choice for the greatest NJ high school wrestler of all time 🤼 The one thing he would change about New Jersey wrestling today Adam's story is proof that where you start has very little to do with where you can finish. For New Jersey wrestling fans, this episode is also a trip through some incredible NJ wrestling history—from Paul VI and the old district system to Rider, Foxcatcher, Iowa State and the NCAA Championships. Guest: Adam Derengowski 🏆 New Jersey State Champion — Paul VI 🇺🇸 NCAA All-American — Rider 🤼 Former Assistant Coach — Iowa State & Cornell ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition 01:22 Meet NJ Wrestling Legend Adam Derengowski 03:01 The “Wanted” Poster That Started His Wrestling Career 03:51 Going 0–8 as a Freshman 06:15 The District Loss That Changed Everything 08:59 Why Wrestling Became His Sport 11:52 The Vision Quest Begins 13:29 Facing 2X State Champion Dave Boncher 15:35 Dominating His Senior Season 17:49 The Incredible Run to the State Finals 20:00 Taking Down Dave Boncher for the NJ State Title 23:43 Life After Becoming a State Champion 26:07 Becoming a Tilting Machine 27:16 College Recruiting & Temple Dropping Wrestling 29:20 How He Ended Up at Rider 31:04 Preparing for Division I Wrestling 32:07 Getting Beat Out as a College Freshman 32:52 Breaking Through at Rider 34:52 One Year Left — Another Vision Quest 36:40 Training at the Legendary Foxcatcher 38:21 Entering His Senior Year Ranked #2 40:51 The Run to NCAA All-American 43:42 State Champion vs. NCAA All-American 44:08 Getting the Call From Iowa State 47:06 Coaching at Cornell & Leaving College Coaching 49:39 Staying Connected to NJ Wrestling 50:20 How Wrestling Has Evolved 51:09 Hard Work, Dedication & Persistence 52:13 Why None of His Kids Wrestled 53:43 The Greatest NJ Wrestler Ever? 54:45 What He Would Change About NJ Wrestling 55:47 New Jersey Mat Chat Outro

    070: Adam Derengowski

  3. Aug 12

    069: John Fenuto

    John Fenuto has already been one match away from the podium in Atlantic City. Now his mindset for next season is simple: PLACE OR BUST. West Deptford standout and Northeast Regional Champion John Fenuto joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about his rise through the New Jersey wrestling scene, his run to the blood round at States, and what comes next. After starting wrestling at six years old, John eventually went all-in on the sport, training at rooms like Lamb Training and Seagull Wrestling Club while developing into one of South Jersey's talented young lightweights. In this episode, John talks about: 🏆 Winning the Northeast Regional Championship 🔥 Reaching the blood round at the NJ State Championships 🌊 What it's really like stepping onto the mats in Atlantic City 🤼 Why he prefers folkstyle but loves competing in freestyle 💪 Training at Seagull Wrestling Club 🎯 Why getting more aggressive on his feet is his biggest focus 🏫 The culture inside West Deptford Wrestling 🥇 His goals of becoming a district champ, region champ and state placer 🎓 His dream of wrestling at the Division I level 🧠 Why young wrestlers need consistency and extra work to separate themselves John also talks about dealing with losses, the coaches and training partners who've helped him develop, and why his first experience wrestling at States only made him hungrier to get back. He's already been to the blood round. Now he wants the podium. 🤼 Guest: John Fenuto 🏫 West Deptford Wrestling 🏆 Northeast Regional Champion 🔥 NJ State Blood Round Subscribe 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.com 00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition 01:22 Meet West Deptford’s John Fenuto 01:39 Winning the Northeast Regional Championship 02:15 Freestyle vs. Folkstyle 02:32 How John Got Started in Wrestling 02:47 Going All-In on Wrestling 03:20 His Biggest Wrestling Influences 03:56 Entering High School at Just 90 Pounds 04:44 Injury, Offseason Training & His Sophomore Breakthrough 05:21 First Experience Wrestling in Atlantic City 05:41 The Match He Wants Back 06:22 “Place or Bust” — Goals for Junior Year 06:45 What Makes the NJ State Tournament Special 07:25 His Northeast Regional Championship Run 08:29 Life Outside Wrestling & His Wrestling Style 09:07 Inside John’s Training Schedule 09:45 West Deptford Wrestling Culture 10:36 What He Needs to Improve Next 11:25 The Legacy He Wants to Leave 11:50 College Wrestling Goals 12:14 Advice for Young Wrestlers 12:33 The People Behind His Success 13:06 Outro

    069: John Fenuto

  4. Aug 9

    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 champion, and Division I wrestler at Northern Iowa, Mark built a reputation as one of the most exciting—and polarizing—wrestlers of his era. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat Legends Edition, Mark opens up about his legendary career, his unforgettable rivalry with Joe Alexander, and why he believes wrestling—and South Jersey wrestling in particular—has changed dramatically. In this episode: 🏆 Growing up at Sterling and Team Renegade 🤼 The rivalry with Joe Alexander that fueled his career 🔥 Why losing his first state final became his greatest motivation 👊 Winning three New Jersey State Championships 💥 Dominating the Beast of the East Tournament 🎓 Choosing Northern Iowa over other Division I programs 🍻 The honest story of why his college wrestling career ended early 📣 Coaching in South Jersey and why he believes the region has fallen behind 🥇 Naming Damien Hahn as New Jersey's greatest high school wrestler ⚔️ Why he believes the wrestlers of the '80s and '90s were mentally tougher than today's generation Mark also shares stories about legendary coach Mike Ahern, Team Renegade, his experiences at Northern Iowa, and his unfiltered thoughts on the evolution of New Jersey wrestling. Whether you watched Mark compete or are discovering his story for the first time, this is an honest look at one of the most memorable personalities the sport has produced. 🤼 Guest: Mark Manchio 🏆 3× New Jersey State Champion 🥈 4× New Jersey State Finalist 🎓 University of Northern Iowa Wrestling Subscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the athletes, coaches, and legends who built New Jersey wrestling. ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor 01:25 Meet NJ Wrestling Legend Mark Manchio 03:42 Team Renegade & Becoming an Elite Wrestler 06:34 Choosing Sterling Over Camden Catholic 10:24 High School Antics & Coach Mike Ahern 11:12 The Joe Alexander Rivalry 18:20 Losing the State Finals as a Freshman 20:33 Chasing Revenge & Winning Three State Titles 22:18 Beast of the East Domination 23:51 Recruiting & Choosing Northern Iowa 27:31 Why His College Career Ended Early 31:38 Coaching Wrestling & Why South Jersey Has Fallen Behind 36:38 Sterling Wrestling, Legacy & The Hall of Fame 40:00 Who Is NJ's Greatest Wrestler Ever? 40:57 Could the Legends Beat Today's Wrestlers? 45:31 Final Thoughts

    068: Mark Manchio

  5. Aug 5

    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 reclass. That extra year of development gave him the confidence and experience to become one of South Jersey's rising wrestlers. In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Eli discusses: 🏆 Why reclassing completely changed his wrestling career 🤼 Choosing Lower Cape May over other programs 💪 The culture inside one of South Jersey's toughest wrestling rooms 🔥 Lower Cape May's run to the Team State Finals ⚖️ The challenges of cutting from 160 to 132 pounds 🥇 His first trip to the New Jersey State Championships 🧠 Building confidence through training instead of fear 👊 Why Orchard Wrestling Club has been such a big part of his development Eli also shares his goals of standing on the podium in Atlantic City, what makes Lower Cape May's practices different, and why he believes this year's team can make another championship run. If you're a fan of New Jersey high school wrestling, this episode is packed with insight from one of South Jersey's fastest-rising wrestlers. 🤼 Guest: Eli Glover 🏆 Lower Cape May Regional High School 🔥 Orchard Wrestling Club Subscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for weekly conversations with the athletes, coaches, and legends shaping New Jersey wrestling. ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor 01:22 Meet Lower Cape May's Eli Glover 01:40 Getting Started in Wrestling 02:26 Moving South & Finding Wrestling Clubs 03:09 Why Reclassing Changed Everything 04:27 His Funky Wrestling Style 04:42 Choosing Lower Cape May Over Ocean City 05:39 Inside Lower Cape May Wrestling 06:26 Team State Finals Run 07:11 Freshman Year Adjustments & Weight Cutting 08:32 Confidence, Freestyle & Wrestling Style 11:25 Atlantic City & State Tournament Experience 12:17 Knicks Basketball & Shark Bait Drills 13:42 Goals for Next Season 14:33 Orchard Wrestling Club & Coach Jimmy Garrett 15:28 Final Thoughts

    067: Eli Glover

  6. Aug 2

    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 philosophy on coaching, athlete development, and why creating the right culture matters far more than chasing trophies. As the owner of Outlaw Performance & Recovery, Geoff has worked with everyone from youth athletes to professional competitors, helping them improve performance, prevent injuries, and extend their careers through strength training and recovery. In this episode, we discuss: 🤼 Growing up in one of South Jersey's wrestling families 🏆 Lessons learned from legendary coach Bill Lucas 💪 Building the Palmyra wrestling program from the ground up 🧠 Why wrestling should prepare kids for life—not just competition 🥋 How jiu-jitsu changed his approach to coaching 🏋️ Why today's athletes aren't recovering enough ⚡ The benefits of fascial stretch therapy and strength training 👨‍👩‍👦 The biggest mistakes parents make in youth sports 🔥 What it really takes to build tough, resilient wrestlers Whether you're a coach, wrestler, parent, or simply passionate about New Jersey high school wrestling, this conversation is packed with practical advice and a fresh perspective on developing athletes the right way. Guest: Geoff Wade 🤼 Head Coach – Palmyra Wrestling 💪 Owner – Outlaw Performance & Recovery Subscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the coaches, athletes, and leaders shaping wrestling across New Jersey. ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor 01:22 – Meet Palmyra Head Coach Geoff Wade 02:31 – Growing Up in a Wrestling Family 04:20 – Wrestling at Woodbury & Gloucester County College 06:48 – Losing the Love for Wrestling... Then Finding It Again 08:33 – Why Coaching Was Always His Calling 10:17 – Taking Over Palmyra Wrestling 12:36 – Lessons Learned From Coach Bill Lucas 15:05 – The Reality of Coaching a Small School Program 18:08 – Building Better People, Not Just Better Wrestlers 21:12 – Why Youth Wrestling Needs to Change 24:28 – Why Kids Quit Wrestling Too Early 26:55 – How Jiu-Jitsu Changed His Coaching Philosophy 29:07 – Creating the Culture at Palmyra 31:18 – Inside Outlaw Performance & Recovery 33:46 – Why Strength Training Is Essential for Wrestlers 36:18 – The Truth About Recovery & Injury Prevention 39:42 – Working With Professional Athletes 43:58 – What Fascial Stretch Therapy Actually Does 47:30 – How Often Should Wrestlers Recover? 50:08 – Preparing Wrestlers for Peak Performance 53:15 – The Future of Palmyra Wrestling 55:18 – Why Parents Need to Trust the Process 58:42 – What Every Wrestling Parent Should Know 01:02:11 – Advice for Young Coaches & Athletes 01:05:18 – Final Thoughts & Outro

    066: Geoffrey Wade

  7. Jul 29

    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 South Jersey's rising talents. In this special episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Jayden is joined by his mother, Soma Jardine, for a conversation that goes far beyond wins and losses. Together they discuss: 🤼 Starting wrestling later than most competitors 🏆 Jayden's growth at Eastern High School 💪 The offseason work that's fueled his improvement 🌎 Soma's journey from Guyana to the United States 🥗 Nutrition, weight management, and balancing wrestling with family life 🎯 College wrestling goals and the recruiting process ❤️ The sacrifices parents make behind the scenes 🥇 Jayden's goal of reaching 100 career wins and standing on the podium in Atlantic City This episode offers a unique perspective on wrestling through the eyes of both an athlete and a parent. It's a reminder that every successful wrestler has a support system helping them along the way. Whether you're a wrestler, coach, or parent, you'll find something relatable in Jayden and Soma's story. 🤼 Guests: Jayden Jardine – Eastern Regional Wrestling Soma Jardine 🎙️ Subscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for more conversations with New Jersey's wrestlers, coaches, and families. ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor 01:22 – Meet Jayden & Soma Jardine 02:00 – Moving From Guyana to New Jersey 03:07 – Starting Wrestling in 7th Grade 04:18 – Choosing Eastern High School Wrestling 05:53 – A Mom's First Wrestling Match Experience 06:09 – Freshman Season & Learning the Sport 07:07 – Sophomore Setbacks & Tough Region Loss 08:08 – Junior Year Breakthrough at Eastern 08:28 – How Mom Helped Build His Wrestling Career 09:29 – Training at Creekside & Lamb Wrestling 10:18 – Why He Doesn't Wrestle Freestyle (Yet) 10:42 – Offseason Training & Getting Stronger 11:25 – Winning Districts & Making a Region Run 12:48 – College Wrestling Goals & Recruiting 13:56 – Can He Coach or Officiate Someday? 14:22 – Soma's Journey From Guyana to America 16:03 – Visiting Guyana & Family Roots 17:12 – Guyanese Food, Culture & Weight Cutting 19:20 – Preparing for the Showcase Match 20:00 – The Strongest Wrestler He's Ever Faced 20:53 – What Makes Mom Most Proud 21:37 – Senior Season Goals: 100 Wins & The State Podium 22:22 – Giving Back to the Junior Vikings 22:57 – Life After Wrestling & Career Plans 24:03 – Walking Off the Atlantic City Mat One Last Time 24:28 – Final Thoughts & Outro

    065: Jayden & Soma Jardine

  8. Jul 26

    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 brother Roman Onorato, a Glenville State wrestler, to explain why more New Jersey wrestlers should consider the Division II route. If you're a high school wrestler or parent navigating the recruiting process, this episode is packed with valuable insight. We discuss: 🔥 What makes Glenville State one of the fastest-rising Division II wrestling programs 🔥 Why Gabe transferred after competing at the Division I level 🔥 The differences between Division I and Division II wrestling 🔥 Scholarships, NIL opportunities, and recruiting realities 🔥 What coaches actually look for in recruits 🔥 Why New Jersey wrestlers are thriving at Glenville State 🔥 Campus life, housing, academics, and team culture 🔥 Why finding the right fit matters more than chasing a label Gabe and Roman also give an honest look at college recruiting, explain how Glenville supports athletes chasing World Team dreams, and answer many of the questions wrestlers and parents have when evaluating colleges. Whether you're a state champion, state qualifier, or simply dreaming of wrestling in college, this episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at a program that's quickly becoming one of Division II's best. 🤼 Guests: Gabe Onorato – Assistant Coach, Glenville State Wrestling Roman Onorato – Glenville State Wrestler 🎙️ Subscribe to New Jersey Mat Chat for conversations with the coaches, wrestlers, and leaders shaping wrestling in New Jersey and beyond. ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor 01:26 – Meet Gabe & Roman Onorato 01:57 – Why Glenville State Is Becoming a D2 Powerhouse 05:05 – Where Is Glenville State? Campus & Location 06:28 – What a Recruiting Visit Looks Like 07:10 – Wrestling Facilities & 24/7 Room Access 08:18 – Scholarships, NIL & Financial Aid 08:42 – Roman's Journey From Drexel to Glenville State 09:17 – Campus Life & Team Culture 11:10 – Division I vs Division II: What's the Difference? 12:00 – Gabe's Experience Wrestling at Drexel 14:00 – Building a Championship Schedule 16:38 – Wrestling Division I Teams 17:48 – What Glenville Looks For in a Recruit 19:20 – Who They're Recruiting From New Jersey 20:36 – Freestyle, World Teams & International Opportunities 22:04 – Would You Recruit a Fargo Champ Over a State Placer? 24:01 – Scholarships, Recruiting & Honest Conversations 26:00 – Academics, Housing & Campus Life 27:20 – Why New Jersey Wrestlers Should Consider Division II 29:30 – Cost of Attending Glenville State 31:18 – Criminal Justice & Academic Programs 31:47 – Why Gabe Has No Regrets Choosing Division II 33:28 – Final Advice for Future College Wrestlers 34:12 – Outro

    064: Gabe & Roman Onorato
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The #1 video podcast and content provider for New Jersey high school wrestling. Up close, in depth and uncensored.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Normandia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ©2025 Edit Cellar LLC All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    New Jersey Mat Chat

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