Two brothers. One path. And now… it’s their turn.

The Ross Twins (Thomas & John) join New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about their journey, their bond, and what’s next as they prepare to enter one of the toughest wrestling rooms in the country at CBA.

This episode goes deeper than wrestling:

• Growing up as twins

• Battling serious health issues early in life

• Choosing the right high school program

• Competing against each other for a spot

• Their mindset heading into high school wrestling

From the mat to life outside the sport, this is a real look at two young wrestlers with big goals — and the discipline to back it up.

If you follow NJ wrestling… remember the name.

🤼‍♂️ Ross Twins

📍 Christian Brothers Academy (CBA)

🧠 Mindset • Brotherhood • Future

00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

00:47 – Meet the Ross Twins (Thomas & John)

00:58 – Being Twins: Who’s Older?

01:48 – Growing Up Together (and Apart in the Hospital)

02:05 – 12 Surgeries & Early Health Battle

03:31 – Different Personalities & Interests

05:25 – Choosing CBA Over Other Schools

06:44 – Why They Chose CBA (Academics + Wrestling)

07:02 – First Impressions of Coaches & Training

07:20 – Current Weights & Future Lineup Questions

09:35 – Team Lineup Speculation & Competition

10:15 – Who Starts? Competing With Your Twin

11:29 – Brother Rivalry: Who’s Better?

11:30 – Strengths & Wrestling Styles Compared

12:17 – Training at Triumph Wrestling

12:38 – Freestyle vs Folkstyle Preferences

13:09 – Thoughts on Greco Wrestling

13:52 – Looking Ahead to High School Competition

15:05 – Ironman vs Powerade (Big Tournament Goals)

16:04 – Life Outside Wrestling (Hobbies & Interests)

17:06 – Beach Life & Personality Differences

17:11 – Wrestlers They Look Up To

19:26 – Growing Up as Twins (Life Moments)

20:54 – Injuries & Setbacks

22:26 – Freshman Year Goals (State Titles)

23:14 – Style Breakdown & Readiness for HS

24:06 – Confidence vs Reality at Next Level

25:21 – Wrestling Maturity & Growth

26:22 – Brotherhood of Wrestling

27:28 – Future: College, NIL & Careers

29:02 – Money, Goals & Long-Term Thinking

30:30 – Confidence, Mindset & Expectations

30:34 – Incoming CBA Talent & Team Outlook

31:26 – Calling Out the Shore Conference

31:49 – Final Thoughts & Outro

Ricky DiLorenzo breaks down his journey from a lightly competing youth wrestler to a New Jersey state placer and one of the toughest competitors in the state.

In this episode, we cover:

• His rise at Toms River East

• The impact of Coach Mark Gray on the program

• Why he doesn’t overcomplicate training

• Balancing a 4.6 GPA with high-level wrestling

• His state tournament run (and tough losses)

• The mindset shift needed to go from placer → champion

This one is different — no hype, no fluff. Just a wrestler who keeps it simple… and gets results.

🤼‍♂️ NJ Wrestling

📍 Toms River East

🧠 Discipline • Consistency • Development

00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA

00:46 – Meet Ricky DiLorenzo

01:08 – Early Wrestling & Limited Competition

01:53 – Considering Leaving for CBA

02:20 – Coaching Changes at Toms River East

03:04 – Impact of Coach Mark Gray

04:02 – Freshman Year Injury (Fractured Elbow)

04:18 – Sophomore Year Breakout (4th in NJ)

04:50 – Offseason Approach: “Just Keep Working”

05:46 – Team Culture Shift Under Coach Gray

07:20 – Shore Conference & Tough Competition Ahead

07:56 – Leadership Style: Lead by Example

08:16 – Practice Habits & Routine

09:18 – Family Support & Wrestling Background

09:47 – Academics: 4.6 GPA & School Balance

10:15 – College Options: Ivy vs Big Ten

11:03 – Strength Training & Old School Approach

11:49 – Weight Management & Nutrition

12:17 – Offseason Training & Workout Partners

12:54 – Freestyle vs Folkstyle Debate

13:56 – Problems with Rules: Control & Stalling

14:47 – Would He Change Anything About Wrestling?

15:40 – Life Outside Wrestling

16:14 – Personality, Popularity & Staying Grounded

16:54 – Teammates & Training Partners

18:00 – When He Started Wrestling

18:18 – Future in MMA?

19:03 – College Goals: All-American → National Champ

20:06 – Long-Term Plans (Law Enforcement)

21:00 – Shoutouts & Support System

21:57 – Season Recap: District Title → Regions Loss

22:17 – State Tournament Loss to Greyson Pettit

23:00 – Backside Matches & Tough Losses

23:59 – Finishing 7th in NJ

24:59 – Mental Lessons from States

25:38 – Final Reflections & Moving Forward

26:28 – Outro

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