New Jersey Mat Chat

55:06

046: Michael Barikian

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/05/24

This is one of the deepest wrestling conversations we’ve had yet.Kingsway head coach Mike Barikian joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about: • Growing up in South Jersey wrestling • Finishing 4th in the state • Wrestling at Navy • Leadership lessons from the Marine Corps • Building Kingsway into a powerhouse • Why culture matters more than talent • The REAL problems with NJ wrestling todayCoach Barikian also gives one of the most honest breakdowns yet on:🔥 PowerPoints🔥 Public vs Private debate🔥

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21:26

045: Owen Boyle

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/05/20

“I hated wrestling for two years.”Lenape standout Owen Boyle joins New Jersey Mat Chat for one of the most honest conversations yet — opening up about burnout, confidence, weight cuts, and eventually learning how to enjoy wrestling again.In this episode, Owen talks about: • Feeling unfulfilled despite success • Why he wishes he trained in tougher rooms earlier • The mental side of wrestling • Creekside Wrestling & Immortals • Choosing Elizabethtown College • Family support and wrestling culture

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55:31

044: Mike Ahearn

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/05/17

Coach Mike Ahern joins New Jersey Mat Chat for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet.From wrestling under legendary coach Gary Papa at Paul VI… to coaching state champions… to stepping away from wrestling after personal tragedy… Coach Ahern opens up about everything that shaped him. This episode covers: • Old-school South Jersey wrestling culture • Coaching legends like Mark Manchio • Building Audubon into a sectional champion • Mental health, anxiety & loss • Wrestling’s evolution

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22:21

043: Bigger & Better with Thomas Blewett

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/05/13

From 95 pounds as a freshman… to standing on top of New Jersey.Middletown North state champion Tommy Blewett joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down his journey to becoming one of the best wrestlers in the state at 106 pounds.In this episode, Tommy talks about: • Growing up undersized • Finally putting on weight • Cutting weight for the first time • Wrestling alongside his brother • Going 50-1 and winning a state title • Beating nationally ranked opponents • Recruiting interest from Harvard, Brown

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33:11

042: Wisdom Wins with Kevin Landolt

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/05/10

rom NJ state champion… to Division I football… to the NFL… and back to coaching the next generation.Kevin Landolt joins New Jersey Mat Chat to tell the full story of his journey through wrestling, football, and life after sports.In this episode we cover:• Old-school NJ wrestling before clubs existed• Winning a state title at Holy Cross• Playing football at West Virginia• Getting drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars• Wrestling’s role in building NFL toughness• Coaching today’s wrestlers and raising

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32:44

041: Its Our Turn with the Ross Twins

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/05/06

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 wrestlingFrom the mat to

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26:58

040: Simplified with Ricky DeLorenzo

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/04/29

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 → championThis one is different — no hype, no fluff. Just a wrestler

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29:40

039: Mind Over Matter with Gideon Gonzalez

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/04/22

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 eliteThis

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26:04

038: No Issues with Luke Johnston

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/04/15

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

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26:25

037: The Climb with Will Cruz

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/04/08

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

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35:34

036: Unthinkable with Greyson Pettit

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/04/01

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

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14:09

035: Under Control with Amari Vann

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/02/10

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

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14:23

034: No Holding Back with Aidan Flynn

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/02/03

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

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13:58

033: Bearing Down with Jackson Weller

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/01/14

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

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36:44

032: The Pit with Greg Troxell & more

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2026/01/08

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

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51:13

031 Outside-in with Kurt Pellegrino

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2025/12/10

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

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24:56

030: McCandid with Armani McCann

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2025/11/23

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

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28:32

029: Humble & Hungry featuring Tanner Hodgins

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2025/11/18

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:

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18:46

028: Quiet Storm with Dominic Marino

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2025/11/12

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:

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21:59

027: Live and Learn with Ryan McConaghy

New Jersey Mat Chat ·

2025/11/06

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

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