New Jersey Mat Chat

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

• Getting sick days before states… and still winning it all

• The mindset that separates good from elite

This episode is about more than wins — it’s about belief, development, and doing things the hard way.

If you’re a wrestler, parent, or coach in NJ… this is one to study.

🤼‍♂️ New Jersey Wrestling

🧠 Mindset • Discipline • Development

📍 Built for NJ wrestlers

00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

00:45 – Meet Gideon Gonzalez (138 State Champ)

00:58 – What Winning a State Title Felt Like

01:47 – Growing Up in a Wrestling Family

02:47 – Early Influences & Role Models

03:36 – Other Sports & Choosing Wrestling

04:01 – Brother’s State Title & Family Impact

05:20 – Pressure, Legacy & Setting Bigger Goals

05:53 – Choosing Bergen Catholic

06:30 – Adjusting to a National-Level Program

08:34 – Early High School Struggles & Skill Gaps

10:00 – Fargo & Greco Breakthrough

10:47 – Bergen Catholic vs St. Joe’s Rivalry

12:38 – Season Journey & Early Losses

14:33 – Cutting Weight & Lineup Adjustments

15:05 – Close Matches & Learning Limits

16:33 – Getting Sick Right Before States

18:56 – State Tournament Run Begins

19:44 – State Finals Match Breakdown

21:09 – Becoming a State Champion

21:51 – Training Room, Teammates & Culture

22:30 – Mindset: Wrestling Fearless

23:37 – Club Wrestling vs Multiple Rooms

24:49 – Carrying the Gonzalez Name

24:56 – College Plans & Future Goals

26:25 – Legacy: How He Wants to Be Remembered

27:29 – Advice for Young Wrestlers

28:56 – Coaches & Final Shoutouts

Become an wrestling official: http://njwoa.net

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 about hype — it’s about control, discipline, and showing up ready.

If you’re serious about wrestling in New Jersey, this is one to watch.

🤼‍♂️ NJ Wrestling

🧠 Mindset • Discipline • Confidence

📍 Built in New Jersey

00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

00:45 – Meet Luke Johnston

01:05 – Where It All Started (Early Wrestling Days)

01:50 – When He Knew He Was Different

02:40 – Building Confidence Early

03:30 – Training Environment & Coaches Impact

04:20 – What Separates Good vs Great Wrestlers

05:10 – Developing the “No Issues” Mindset

06:00 – Handling Pressure & Expectations

06:50 – Big Matches & Proving Himself

07:40 – Learning From Losses (Without Losing Confidence)

08:30 – In-Match Mindset & Adjustments

09:20 – Wrestling Style & Approach

10:05 – Practice Habits That Actually Matter

10:50 – Strength, Conditioning & Discipline

11:40 – Staying Focused During the Season

12:20 – Biggest Challenges Faced

13:10 – Turning Point in His Career

14:00 – Goals for This Season

14:50 – College Wrestling Aspirations

15:30 – Advice for Younger Wrestlers

16:20 – What “No Issues” Really Means

17:10 – Final Thoughts & Message to NJ Wrestling

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 state finals — all while learning how to handle pressure, setbacks, and expectations.

This episode is about growth, mindset, and what it really takes to climb in NJ wrestling.

If you’re a wrestler, parent, or coach — this is one you need to hear.

🤼‍♂️ Paulsboro Wrestling

🎯 State Finals Run

📍 Built in New Jersey

00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

00:46 – Meet Will Cruz | Paulsboro Wrestling

01:00 – From Brooklyn to Paulsboro (No Wrestling Background)

01:40 – Starting Wrestling Late (7th Grade Story)

02:30 – First Coach Impact & Learning the Hard Way

03:20 – Life at Paulsboro HS (Small School Culture)

04:20 – Why He Chose Wrestling Over Soccer

05:00 – Freshman Year Struggles & Getting Tougher

06:10 – Building a Name Early in NJ Wrestling

07:00 – Fargo, Freestyle & Rapid Improvement

07:50 – “I Told Myself I Had to Win a State Title”

08:40 – Wrestling Up a Weight for the Team

09:30 – Fighting Through Injury & Being Sick at States

10:30 – District Loss → Reset Mindset

11:10 – Region Loss → “Next Week Is a New Tournament”

12:00 – Adjusting Training Before States

12:50 – Getting the #1 Seed (Unexpected Reaction)

13:40 – Why He Doesn’t Look at Brackets

14:20 – Mindset Shift: “You’re Will Cruz”

15:00 – State Semifinal Pin (Breakthrough Moment)

16:00 – Night Before Finals (No Weight Cut Stress)

16:50 – Sister Also Makes State Finals (Family Moment)

17:30 – State Finals Match Breakdown

18:20 – The Moment He Felt Overwhelmed

19:00 – Post-Match Emotion & Disappointment

20:00 – The Ride Home From Atlantic City

21:00 – Coaches’ Message: “You Got Next Year”

22:00 – Goals for Next Season (State Title Mindset)

22:40 – Wrestling Style Inspiration (Japan & Burroughs)

23:30 – College Goals & Virginia Tech Interest

24:10 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next

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 wrestling — it’s about perspective, resilience, and the mindset behind a comeback.

If you’re a wrestler, parent, or coach in New Jersey, this is one you need to hear.

🤼‍♂️ New Jersey Wrestling

🧠 Mindset • Adversity • Comeback

📍 Built in New Jersey

00:00 Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

00:46 Meet Greyson Pettit

01:00 The 21-Seed Run That Shocked Everyone

01:38 Junior Year Injury and ACL Tear

02:54 Sophomore Year Injury and Bad Weight Cut

03:24 Losing Love for Wrestling

04:08 Bad Habits, Snacking, and the Weight Cut Spiral

04:59 Summer Reset: “I’m Not Cutting Weight”

06:12 Fargo and Feeling Good Again

07:08 Discipline vs. Cutting Weight

07:55 Choosing the Right Weight for the Team

08:34 JV Freshman Year and Early Doubts

09:57 Season Goals: Just Place on the Podium

10:52 Escape the Rock and the Spaulding Match

12:45 Districts and Regions Momentum

13:42 Expecting a Top-10 Seed… Then Seeing #21

14:31 Doubts Return Before States

15:07 Coach Maxwell’s Message: “You’re Going to Win”

15:32 Beating Haggerty

16:04 Revenge Over DeLorenzo

17:04 Upset Over Returning State Champ Spalding

17:37 Managing Pain, Weight, and Recovery

18:56 Night Before Finals Mindset

20:13 Locked In for the Finals

20:54 State Champion

21:09 College Coaches Start Reaching Out

22:23 Rutgers, Iowa, and the Recruiting Process

24:07 Celebrating With a Johnny Rockets Milkshake

24:31 Family Emotions and Sacrifices

26:34 Coaching, Mentors, and Uncle Dion

27:53 Basement Boys, Garage Work, and Training Roots

28:54 From JV Freshman to State Champion

29:49 Advice for Young Wrestlers

30:59 Belief, Dreams, and Visualization

31:21 Fate, Destiny, and the Meaning of the Run

32:19 Dark Horse Talk and Proving People Wrong

32:55 “Nobody Believed But Me”

33:44 Back to School, Disney Trip, and What a Week

35:09 Final Thoughts

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 take to reach Atlantic City and compete for a state title.

From mindset to match prep, this episode is packed with insight for NJ wrestlers, parents, and coaches.

🤼‍♂️ Delsea Wrestling

🎯 138 Pounds

📍 Built in New Jersey

00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

01:40 – Meet Amari Vann | Delsea Wrestling Star

02:00 – Season Check-In: How Things Are Going

02:30 – Is Delsea Where They Want to Be Yet?

03:10 – Being a Team Captain and Leading by Example

03:50 – Academics and Favorite Subject (Math Guy!)

04:15 – College Plans and Wanting to Leave NJ

05:00 – Big Goals: Wrestling in Warm Weather

05:40 – Why He Missed Last Year’s Postseason

06:30 – Weight Cutting Struggles and Lessons Learned

07:20 – Fixing Nutrition and Taking Accountability

08:15 – Freshman Success and Returning to Form

09:00 – Postseason Goals for 138 Pounds

09:40 – Freestyle vs Folkstyle: Which Is Better?

10:25 – International Wrestling Dreams

11:00 – Jordan Burroughs Inspiration

11:30 – One Wrestling Rule He Would Change

12:15 – Training Partners in the Delsea Room

13:05 – Advice to His 11-Year-Old Brother

13:40 – First Meal After the Season Ends

14:10 – Previewing the Big Delsea vs Delsea Dual

15:10 – Match Predictions and Team Confidence

16:00 – Guaranteeing Another State Title

16:30 – Final Thoughts & Send-Off

Become a wrestling official - http://njwoa.net

Princeton commit Jackson Weller (Delran HS) sits down with New Jersey Mat Chat to talk leadership, recruiting, training mindset, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level of New Jersey wrestling.

From choosing Princeton over other Ivy League programs, to staying loyal to a public high school, to how he prepares mentally and physically before matches — this episode is a must-watch for wrestlers, parents, and coaches.

🎧 Leadership. Discipline. NJ pride.

📍 Delran Wrestling | 🎓 Princeton University

🤼‍♂️ Built in New Jersey.

00:00 – NJ Wrestling Officials Needed (Quick PSA)

01:00 – Meet Jackson Weller | Delran Wrestling Leader

01:25 – Delran Wrestling 2025 Outlook & Key Returners

02:20 – What Being a Team Captain Really Means

02:50 – Training Partners & Practice Room Culture

03:05 – Princeton Commitment Story (Recruiting Breakdown)

04:10 – Final 3 Schools: Princeton, Penn, Cornell

04:25 – GPA, Academics & Engineering Goals

04:55 – Folkstyle vs Freestyle: Which Do You Prefer?

05:20 – Training Differences: HS Season vs Freestyle Season

05:55 – Weigh-Ins, Diet & Cutting Weight the Smart Way

06:35 – Pre-Match Routine & Mental Prep

07:10 – Music Before Matches (What’s on the Playlist?)

07:40 – Wrestling With Dad on the Coaching Staff

08:20 – “My Mom Knows More Wrestling Than Most People”

09:10 – Describing Coach Marty in One Word

10:10 – Rivals, Pressure & Chasing State Titles

11:20 – Advice for Young Wrestlers Watching

12:35 – Public School Pride

13:44 – Be part of the journey

Become a wrestling official - http://njwoa.net

Princeton commit Jackson Weller (Delran HS) sits down with New Jersey Mat Chat to talk leadership, recruiting, training mindset, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level of New Jersey wrestling.

From choosing Princeton over other Ivy League programs, to staying loyal to a public high school, to how he prepares mentally and physically before matches — this episode is a must-watch for wrestlers, parents, and coaches.

🎧 Leadership. Discipline. NJ pride.

📍 Delran Wrestling | 🎓 Princeton University

🤼‍♂️ Built in New Jersey.

Become a wrestling official - http://njwoa.net

00:48 Meet Jackson Weller | Delran Wrestling Leader

01:13 Delran Wrestling 2025 Outlook & Key Returners

02:09 What Being a Team Captain Really Means

02:39 Training Partners & Practice Room Culture

02:54 Princeton Commitment Story (Recruiting Breakdown)

03:59 Final 3 Schools: Princeton, Penn, Cornell

04:14 GPA, Academics & Engineering Goals

04:44 Folkstyle vs Freestyle: Which Do You Prefer?

05:09 Training Differences: HS Season vs Freestyle Season

05:44 Weigh-Ins, Diet & Cutting Weight the Smart Way

06:24 Pre-Match Routine & Mental Prep

06:59 Music Before Matches (What’s on the Playlist?)

07:29 Wrestling With Dad on the Coaching Staff

08:09 “My Mom Knows More Wrestling Than Most People”

08:59 Describing Coach Marty in One Word

09:59 Rivals, Pressure & Chasing State Titles

11:09 Advice for Young Wrestlers Watching

12:24 Why He Stayed at Delran (Public School Pride)

13:29 Final Thoughts & Delran Wrestling Shoutout

The Phillipsburg “Pit” isn’t just a gym — it’s a proving ground.

In this episode, we step inside one of NJ wrestling’s most iconic venues with Greg Troxell and the legendary voices who’ve called matches here for decades. From historic rivalries to “Pit Magic,” this is about legacy, pressure, and what it means to wrestle in front of a crowd that never lets up.

👇 Chapters below

00:00 Intro

00:50 Why NJ Wrestling Needs Officials

01:27 Welcome to the Historic Phillipsburg “Pit”

02:00 Greg Troxell: Growing Up Wrestling in the Pit

04:51 Why Phillipsburg Still Hosts Matches Here

05:24 The Reality of Hosting a Match in the Pit

06:16 Troxell’s Career: Wrestler, Coach, Leader

07:01 The Legendary Rivalries (Highlands, Paulsboro, Del Val)

08:14 “This Place Tests Your Soul"

09:19 Home-Mat Advantage Is REAL Here

10:46 Losing in the Pit (And Remembering It Forever)

12:42 Wrestling for the Names That Came Before You

14:54 Why NJ State Titles Are Brutal to Win Today

16:22 What It Takes to Be Elite Now

17:30 Who Greg Troxell Idolized Growing Up

19:26 Wrestling vs Football (And Penn State)

22:10 Mike Moore: The Voice of the Pit

23:27 Has Wrestling Gotten Better or Worse?

25:17 The Loudest Moments Ever in the Pit

27:03 What “Pit Magic” Really Means

29:46 Another Legendary Voice Joins In

32:30 Announcing 5 Sports for 30+ Years

34:10 The Wildest Night Inside These Walls

36:09 – Why This Match Belongs in the Pit

36:57 Be part of the journey

Become a wrestling official - http://njwoa.net

We sit down with the Jersey Shore wrestling legend, BJJ phenom, and UFC veteran Kurt Pellegrino to chat about everything from wrestling to coaching, to parenting, to mental health.

00:00 Intro

00:18 Pellegrino MMA

01:20 Welcome Kurt Pellegrino

02:00 Becoming a hammer

05:00 Your opponent doesn't matter

08:57 Beat the midget

09:54 Championship Mentality

14:22 College, Dislexia & Dip

17:00 'Kut' Pellegrino

18:50 I hate fighting

21:55 Coaching

23:20 Reclassing & Education

29:30 Parenting

34:15 Coaching St. Rose

46:26 Little Nicky

50:47 Be part of the journey

Try out Pellegrino MMA in Manasquan, NJ

https://www.pellegrinomma.com/

Guest Instagram:

@kurtpellegrino

We sit down with Jackson's own Armani McCann to discuss the Liberty & Memorial merger, martial arts, and his surprising choice of music...

00:00 Intro

00:18 Pellegrino MMA

01:20 Welcome Armani McCann

01:38 The Merge

03:21 Season's coming

04:23 Young Karate kid

06:55 Steady rising

10:30 Academic comeback

12:25 College visits

13:16 My sis used to beat my....

14:43 Elite Inner Power

15:45 Freestyling

17:54 Match day

19:53 Trust my coaches

21:00 Inspirations & Nutrition

23:55 Inner Power Martial Arts

24:30 Be part of the journey

Try out Pellegrino MMA in Manasquan, NJ

https://www.pellegrinomma.com/

Guest Instagram:

@armani.mccann