Weighing In, S2, Ep12: Wrestling state champs crowned, can N.J. fix team tourney? & more

Описание: 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 matches, including the first girls team state championship match, which Jackson Township won.

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 might’ve had the toughest road 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 districts, which led to a major shakeup in the individual state rankings.

1:10.45: The road to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City begins this weekend with District Saturday. There are plenty of compelling matchups throughout the state across all 32 districts.