By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer ATLANTIC CITY -- Ocean senior Nick Menditto does not say much, but that doesn't mean he enjoys winning any less than they next guy.
"Believe me, it feels really good to get a second state championship," said Menditto after defeating Greg Zannetti of JP Stevens, 10-2, to win the NJSIAA 152-pound state championship on Sunday at Boardwalk Hall.
Menditto, who last season became Ocean's first ever state champ when he won at 145, had a only one close match the entire tournament, a 3-1 win over South Brunswick's Ryan Smith in the semifinals. Because Menditto is a quiet kid, his dominating season may have been a bit overlooked when he actually did not lose to a New Jersey wrestler in his weight class. His two losses of the season came against Ceasar Rodney (Delaware) wrestler Alex Meade, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News, in the Beast of the East final, and to Jackson's Scott Winston, who won the 160-pound title and finished his career at 137-0.
"I just wanted to go into the final and wrestle tough and wrestle my match," Menditto said.
For Menditto to end up as a two-time state champion is remarkable considering that he barley wrestled during his sophomore year with many thinking he would not return to the sport. He battled weight issues and injuries after placing fourth as a freshman at 112. But last season he returned to upset Southern's Luke Lanno in the 145-pound final and began this season as the favorite at 152. He never faltered on his way to becoming a two-time champion in the state of New Jersey. He showed probably the most emotion since last season's final when he raised his hands signaling his two state championships to the Ocean fans sitting in the stands.
Next season, Menditto will wrestle for Rutgers University with teammate Zac Coulas, who took fifth at 130, and fellow state champions Joey Langel of Howell (112), Jessey Boyden of David Brearley (215) and Winston, to name a few.
"We had four champions so we whould be good," Menditto said. "It's going to be exciting."
Menditto was also proud to be a part of a record-setting day for Region VI, which crowned seven champions.
"Yeah," he said. "That's pretty crazy to be winning half the weight classes."
Menditto may not say much, but his performance on the mat does all the talking necessary.
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