Winston still perfect, and a champion to boot
Powers his way to 145-pound title
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

At left, Jackson's Scott Winston lifts Bound Brook's Jesse Harrington during their 145-pound final bout in Atlantic City on Sunday. Above, Howell's Billy Woodward controls Bergen Catholic's Spencer Kent during a 152-pound wrestleback.

ATLANTIC CITY - At this time last year, Scott Winston sat on the sidelines watching his teammates.

After going undefeated during the regular season, an injured wrist prevented the Jackson High School freshman standout wrestler from competing in the individual postseason events. Needless to say, it was a difficult time.

"He had put in a lot of hard work, and to have it end like that was a disappointment," Jackson coach Scott Goodale said. "He couldn't wait to get back to work."

Winston eventually recovered from the injury, continued to perfect his craft, and entered this postseason as the odds-on favorite to win a state title. There was no disappointment this time around.

Winston edged Bound Brook High School's Jesse Harrington last Sunday 3-2 to capture the 145-pound weight division at the NJSIAA Individual Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall.

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Winston becomes the first Jaguar wrestler to win a state title since Doug Withstandley did it in 2001.

"It's just great to see him reach this level," Goodale said. "He is a tireless worker who has continued to do whatever it takes to become a better wrestler. We knew from the moment he arrived at our program that he was a special kind of kid."

Winston took a 1-0 lead into the final period. He scored a takedown, the only one of the match, to increase his lead. Harrington scored on an escape, but Winston bettered him on his feet until the final buzzer to claim the title.

Winston closed this season with a perfect 39-0 record. In two years of high school wrestling, Winston is a gaudy 61-0.

"He is a tremendous talent," Goodale said. "He still wants to get better."

Morton goes 2-2 at states, Howell's Woodward sixth at 152

New Egypt High School sophomore Tommy Morton put forth an impressive showing last weekend at the state tournament in Atlantic City.

Morton won two of four bouts at the 103-pound weight class.

"It was a great learning experience for him," New Egypt coach Kevin English said. "To be there in that atmosphere and wrestle against the best kids in the state is only going to benefit him in the long run. He is an amazing wrestling who had a great year. Hopefully, this motivates him to work even harder next season."

In his first bout Morton shouldered Montclair High School's Jaishon Scott in 5:49.

That set up a meeting with Toms River East's Vinnie DelleFave, who eventually lost in the finals. DelleFave managed to escape the pre-quarterfinal bout with an 8-3 overtime win.

"If he gets past that kid, there is a good chance he goes all the way to the final," English said. "He wrestled a good match. The kid was just got the better of the overtime."

Morton returned to pin Anthony Curchio, of Washington Township, in 5:49.

"Both of those guys he ended up pinning got way too aggressive with him," English said. "They got a little careless and he capitalized on the mistakes. You can't make those kinds of mistakes with Tommy. He is very good at taking advantage."

In his final bout, Dan Hughes, of Delran, posted a 5-4 win over Morton.

"Competing in this event is going to raise his confidence level," English said. "He got to see what he needs to do to get past some of the best talent in the state. There are no easy matches once you get here."

Howell's Billy Woodward didn't win the last match of his career, but it didn't matter, he got what he was after in Atlantic City - the distinction of being a state placewinner and 100 career wins.

"It's what I wanted to do, place in the states," he said. "I worked all season for this."

The Rebel senior said that the experience of having been to A.C. the last two years was a big factor to his success this year. He said that he was more relaxed this year.

Woodward placed sixth at 152 pounds, falling to Chris Norrell, of Phillipsburg, 2-0, in the fifth-place consolation match. In all, Woodward won four matches in A.C. to bring his season total to 35 and 101 for his career.

He's just the second Rebel to reach the century mark, trailing only Zac Cunliffe, a four-time state placewinner who had 138 career wins. It was Cunliffe, Woodward said, who was his inspiration when he was a freshman.

Howell coach John Gagliano said that Howell freshmen and sophomores of today have Woodward for a role model.

"We're so proud of him," said Gagliano. "He's been a great leader and a great example for the other kids to follow. It's great for the program."