By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer ATLANTIC CITY -- Of the 39,000 total fans that came to watch the NJSIAA Individual Wrestling Tournament at Boardwalk Hall this past weekend, the rooting interests varied with each. But the one thing each fan had in common was that they came to see Scott Winston. History has a way of uniting people.
Legend status was what the Jaguars senior was chasing on Sunday and he delivered in one of the most memorable moments in tournament history when he pinned Sacred Heart's Scott Kelly to win the the 160-pound title, his third straight state title, and finish his career at 137-0. By now, every wrestling fan and also plenty of non-wrestling fans know what Winston was on the cusp of entering this weekend. The anticipation grew as each prior bout was wrestled until Winston took the mat in the second to last bout of the evening. One of the most humble and emotionally stable people you will ever meet, Winston brought the crowd to his feet when he pressed Kelly's shoulders to the mat at 2:14 and then jumped up and down and finally into head coach Doug Withstandley's arms, letting out everything he has kept inside for the past four seasons while forming a 'zero' with his hands to the crowd.
"I think probably if anybody pins in the state finals they're going to go crazy and I went nuts," Winston said. "It's just excitement and relief combined into one. It's awesome, there are no other words to describe it."
Words only scratch the surface of how special Winston is. His 137 wins with zero losses is an unprecedented feat that simply boggles the mind. The competition he faced in every bout while wrestling for one of the top teams in the state challenged him on every turn, but he quickly removed all doubt that he could accomplish what was thought to be impossible. With every dominating win his legend grew until it became a matter of when, not if, he would make history on New Jersey high school wrestling's greatest stage.
"I'm just happy I came out and wrestled great in the final," Winston said. "It's a total blessing to be where I am and I'm just so thankful for it."
"It's amazing, it totally blows my mind what he did," said an emotional Withstandley. "I have a very distinct picture in my mind of how he wrestles every match and it's so graceful. Every match he goes out with that same aura and intensity and unbelievable confidence, and it's just something amazing."
Winston is the polar opposite of cocky or brash, but he wanted to give himself and the fans something extra special to take away from his final high school match. He commented after his semifinal win that he wanted to give the fans a show in the state final because he knew that was what they came to see. Although he could be if he wanted to, Winston is not known as a pinner. You are much more likely to see him wrestle a full six minutes with double-digit takedowns that you are to see him record a fall, but the way he won his historic final bout could not have been scripted any better.
"It's definitely a great way to go out," Winston said.
Added Withstandley: "It put the stamp on what could possibly be the best high school wrestling career that we'll ever see in New Jersey."
One of the more remarkable traits Winston possesses is the ability to turn pressure into motivation. Since he won last season's state title at 152 pounds, all eyes have been on him to finish his career with no losses. He had so much to lose in every bout, but he never though of it that way. He went down to the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament in December and won the championship and later in the season he made sure he was on the mat to face Ocean's Nick Menditto, this season's 152-pound champion, despite having a fever that would have hospitalized lesser human beings. Professional athletes have cracked under similar pressure, but this extraordinary high school senior never backed down, never got scared and never faltered.
"It's just simply amazing the way he carries and represents himself," Withstandley said. "He's a role model not only for wrestlers and fans, but for myself. He's incredible, he really is."
In typical Winston fashion, he was just as eager to talk about the state titles won by teammates Tyler Biscaha and Sean Byrnes as he was his own. Genuine, selfless acts like that are why fans, coaches, wrestlers and members of the media all rooted and will continue to root for Winston. He deserves everything he has accomplished, and for the lucky ones among us who have gotten to know Winston well, we know he is an even better person than he is a wrestler. And as a wrestler he is perfect.
Next season, Winston will don the scarlet and white of Rutgers University where he will wrestle for former Jackson head coach Scott Goodale. Winston's uncanny high school career ended when he walked off the mat as the ultimate champion, but fans will not have to go far to see him continue his career.
"It's a little bittersweet because I've come to love all the New Jersey high school fans," Winston said. "I'm definitely going to miss it. I loved it while it lasted.
So did we Scott. So did we.