New Jersey Mat Chat

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 Jersey00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA01:40 – Meet Amari Vann | Delsea Wrestling Star02:00 – Season Check-In: How Things Are Going02:30 – Is Delsea Where They Want to Be Yet?03:10 – Being a Team Captain and Leading by Example03:50 – Academics and Favorite Subject (Math Guy!)04:15 – College Plans and Wanting to Leave NJ05:00 – Big Goals: Wrestling in Warm Weather05:40 – Why He Missed Last Year’s Postseason06:30 – Weight Cutting Struggles and Lessons Learned07:20 – Fixing Nutrition and Taking Accountability08:15 – Freshman Success and Returning to Form09:00 – Postseason Goals for 138 Pounds09:40 – Freestyle vs Folkstyle: Which Is Better?10:25 – International Wrestling Dreams11:00 – Jordan Burroughs Inspiration11:30 – One Wrestling Rule He Would Change12:15 – Training Partners in the Delsea Room13:05 – Advice to His 11-Year-Old Brother13:40 – First Meal After the Season Ends14:10 – Previewing the Big Delsea vs Delsea Dual15:10 – Match Predictions and Team Confidence16:00 – Guaranteeing Another State Title16:30 – Final Thoughts & Send-OffBecome 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 Leader01:25 – Delran Wrestling 2025 Outlook & Key Returners02:20 – What Being a Team Captain Really Means02:50 – Training Partners & Practice Room Culture03:05 – Princeton Commitment Story (Recruiting Breakdown)04:10 – Final 3 Schools: Princeton, Penn, Cornell04:25 – GPA, Academics & Engineering Goals04:55 – Folkstyle vs Freestyle: Which Do You Prefer?05:20 – Training Differences: HS Season vs Freestyle Season05:55 – Weigh-Ins, Diet & Cutting Weight the Smart Way06:35 – Pre-Match Routine & Mental Prep07:10 – Music Before Matches (What’s on the Playlist?)07:40 – Wrestling With Dad on the Coaching Staff08:20 – “My Mom Knows More Wrestling Than Most People”09:10 – Describing Coach Marty in One Word10:10 – Rivals, Pressure & Chasing State Titles11:20 – Advice for Young Wrestlers Watching12:35 – Public School Pride13:44 – Be part of the journeyBecome 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.net00:48 Meet Jackson Weller | Delran Wrestling Leader01:13 Delran Wrestling 2025 Outlook & Key Returners02:09 What Being a Team Captain Really Means02:39 Training Partners & Practice Room Culture02:54 Princeton Commitment Story (Recruiting Breakdown)03:59 Final 3 Schools: Princeton, Penn, Cornell04:14 GPA, Academics & Engineering Goals04:44 Folkstyle vs Freestyle: Which Do You Prefer?05:09 Training Differences: HS Season vs Freestyle Season05:44 Weigh-Ins, Diet & Cutting Weight the Smart Way06:24 Pre-Match Routine & Mental Prep06:59 Music Before Matches (What’s on the Playlist?)07:29 Wrestling With Dad on the Coaching Staff08:09 “My Mom Knows More Wrestling Than Most People”08:59 Describing Coach Marty in One Word09:59 Rivals, Pressure & Chasing State Titles11:09 Advice for Young Wrestlers Watching12:24 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 below00:00 Intro00:50 Why NJ Wrestling Needs Officials01:27 Welcome to the Historic Phillipsburg “Pit”02:00 Greg Troxell: Growing Up Wrestling in the Pit04:51 Why Phillipsburg Still Hosts Matches Here05:24 The Reality of Hosting a Match in the Pit06:16 Troxell’s Career: Wrestler, Coach, Leader07:01 The Legendary Rivalries (Highlands, Paulsboro, Del Val)08:14 “This Place Tests Your Soul"09:19 Home-Mat Advantage Is REAL Here10:46 Losing in the Pit (And Remembering It Forever)12:42 Wrestling for the Names That Came Before You14:54 Why NJ State Titles Are Brutal to Win Today16:22 What It Takes to Be Elite Now17:30 Who Greg Troxell Idolized Growing Up19:26 Wrestling vs Football (And Penn State)22:10 Mike Moore: The Voice of the Pit23:27 Has Wrestling Gotten Better or Worse?25:17 The Loudest Moments Ever in the Pit27:03 What “Pit Magic” Really Means29:46 Another Legendary Voice Joins In32:30 Announcing 5 Sports for 30+ Years34:10 The Wildest Night Inside These Walls36:09 – Why This Match Belongs in the Pit36:57 Be part of the journeyBecome 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 Intro00:18 Pellegrino MMA01:20 Welcome Kurt Pellegrino02:00 Becoming a hammer05:00 Your opponent doesn't matter08:57 Beat the midget09:54 Championship Mentality14:22 College, Dislexia & Dip17:00 'Kut' Pellegrino18:50 I hate fighting21:55 Coaching23:20 Reclassing & Education29:30 Parenting34:15 Coaching St. Rose46:26 Little Nicky50:47 Be part of the journeyTry out Pellegrino MMA in Manasquan, NJhttps://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 Intro00:18 Pellegrino MMA01:20 Welcome Armani McCann01:38 The Merge03:21 Season's coming04:23 Young Karate kid06:55 Steady rising10:30 Academic comeback12:25 College visits13:16 My sis used to beat my....14:43 Elite Inner Power15:45 Freestyling17:54 Match day19:53 Trust my coaches21:00 Inspirations & Nutrition23:55 Inner Power Martial Arts24:30 Be part of the journeyTry out Pellegrino MMA in Manasquan, NJhttps://www.pellegrinomma.com/Guest Instagram:@armani.mccann

Tanner Hodgins, one the top 190 pounders in the country, is back on after his fun at the world championships in Greece. This time we went down to 'the barn' to discuss his college recruitment, and how he narrowed it down on where to continue his storied wrestling career.00:00 Intro00:18 Beato Baits00:58 Welcome back Tanner Hodgins01:45 Repechage & Competing Internationally06:15 Official Visit: Arizona State07:50 Official Visit: NC State09:10 Official Visit: Virginia Tech10:15 Official Visit: Michigan12:40 Official Visit: Oklahoma State14:40 Plains, Pains, & Automobiles17:08 Advice to future recruits20:00 Narrowing it down22:11 Senior Rebel25:14 The Choice28:08 Be part of the journeyGuest Instagram:@tannerjhodginsBeato BaitsEtsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

We sat down with Cinnaminson's very own 138 pounder to discuss their program, his first trip to Atlantic City, college expectations, alignments, and more...00:00 Intro00:18 Beato Baits00:58 Welcome Dominic Marino01:18 Atlantic City02:30 No off season04:35 Freestlyling05:31 Cinnaminson Program07:20 Weight game & Goals08:21 College Goals & Prep10:59 Mat side weigh ins13:40 Out on Alignment18:19 Be part of the journeyGuest Instagram:@dominic.marino09Beato BaitsEtsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

We sat down with West Deptford stud Ryan Mcconaghy to chat about his rise, his future, and mom's cooking.00:00 Intro00:14 Beato Baits00:53 Welcome Ryan McConaghy01:15 Prep for final year02:20 Rearview mirror06:15 Club life07:35 West Deptford09:20 Peak into the future10:30 Competition11:57 Atlantic City bound14:18 The Program15:40 Cross country17:10 The Evolution19:05 Immortal Technique20:30 Family first21:31 Be part of the journeyGuest Instagram:@ryan.mcconaghy

We set up shop at Shore Thing wrestling club to get an up-close look at the man who has remained relevant after 30+ years as a coach, mentor and friend of countless wrestlers, parents and coaches throughout New Jersey. Please welcome Vinny Santaniello.Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

In part 4 of our official series, highly respected officials Vinny Russo & Gary Wade are back to chat about what could be the most confusing part of a wrestling match: near fall.Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

We sat down with our first lady wrestler, Madison Rucci of Jackson, NJ, to discuss the fastest growing sport, the merging of Liberty & Memorial, and prom dresses...Guest Instagram: @madsrucci

We sat down with Dan Wernikoff of Champion Athletes & Anthony White from Rutgers Wrestling to gain some insight about the science and data behind nutrition and weight management. Experience what it's like first hand for a wrestler and their parents to work with a nutritionist.Guest Instagram: @danwernikoff @championathletes @anthony.white25

We sat down with Vincent Santaniello, nationally ranked collegiate wrestler from New Jersey’s own Brick Memorial, to discuss his college journey, Shore Thing, and growing up in one of Jersey's top wrestling clubs.Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

We sat down with Rumson Fair Haven stud Sonny Amato to chat about his recruiting status, NIL, Pauly Legs and……Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

Two current HS wrestling coaches sit down with two highly respected wrestling officials to chat about all things wrestling. Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

Anthony Curlo stopped in the studio to chat about life at Blair Academy, his teammates and staying healthy by eating the best fresh eggs in New Jersey. Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

Felician University’s head wrestling coach Dale Fava and his brother, assistant coach Vinny Fava chat about New Jersey’s only D2 wrestling program, their recruiting tactics and building the program from “Ground Zero”. A must watch for HS wrestlers. Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits

We sat down with Immortals Wrestling Club owner Russ Latkovich to chat about Mount Holly, the current state of Burlington County wrestling and….. Episode sponsor: Vote for Sheriff Erik Johnston of Burlington County

Camden Catholic senior Lazarus Joyce and his younger brother, incoming CBA freshman Shiloh Joyce, stopped by the studio pre Fargo to chat about moving from urban Elizabeth to suburban Cherry Hill and…… Beato Baits Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beatobaits/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.beato.baits