Changing the NJ region tournaments goes against everything that makes wrestling great

No one involved in the sport of wrestling ever looks for a shortcut.

Ever.

This is the sport that gave us the Blood Round, unparalleled discipline and sacrifice.

Which is why I don’t understand the idea of creating a non-public "Region 9" that’s being passed around by public school wrestling coaches.

I get it. The better wrestlers go to the non-public schools. Period.

You think they’re being enticed under the table, with NIL deals or whatever, and it’s wrecking the sport. It’s ruining what makes the sport interesting to the large audience, destroying its roots.

It doesn’t just happen in North Jersey. Yes, we have our superpowers here − I don’t need to tell you who they are − and guess what, they’re only getting better.

So now wrestling coaches want to change it. They want to funnel the non-public schools into their own region to dilute their ranks when it comes to the individual state tournament. It won’t change the fact that the best kids will win, but it will open the door for more public school wrestlers to advance.

And isn’t that what wrestling is all about? Shortcuts? Ducking opponents? Making sure your path is easier than the other guy when you are sure the other guy is cheating?

Public school coaches want the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to step in and re-do the math. The NJSIAA may try, but they know it’s unlikely anything official will pass the Commissioner of Education, because New Jersey won’t allow a split.

Besides, the NJSIAA already leveled the playing field. Haven’t you been paying attention? The NJSIAA just threw out the rules on recruiting middle-school athletes. This summer, if the legislation passes, every eighth grader in New Jersey will be recruitable. It’s just a matter of time before someone makes a list of top 40 fourth grade wrestling recruits in NJ. (Please, no one ever do that.)

You may not want to hear this, but public-school coaches should recruit wrestlers too. In fact, same goes for public school football coaches, basketball coaches and baseball coaches. It’s OK. I know it wasn’t part of your job description, but it is now. You can do it.

In fact, I’m going to tell you how to make your program more attractive to the best kids. Here’s your sales pitch:

Free is me

There you go. Reason No. 1 to try to sway a talented prospect from attending a non-public school and wrestling: Your school is free. I’ve been in non-public wrestling rooms. Aside from maybe Bergen Catholic and Delbarton’s, they’re all the same – smelly, small and oozing with sweat.

You can offer kids something no other non-public school can. The chance to stay home and go to school with their friends. Tell them when they win a state title, they’ll get a parade in the streets and a police escort home from Atlantic City. I respect the heck out of the non-public schools, but Morristown doesn’t usually throw parades for a state champ from Delbarton. That’s not a knock, it's just reality.

And it’s free.

Schedule up

Why do you think Clifton, Northern Highlands, Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley have traveled out of state for football games over the last few years? Because they recognize that the trips and the chance to face quality out-of-state competition is a lure for talented kids.

Can public schools do this every year? Yep. Raise the money. Show you care. Tell your best wrestling prospects you’re going to the Beast of the East in Delaware in two years. (Paramus has done this.) What do you have to lose? Heck, create your own New Jersey All-Star event at American Dream mall, and invite only public schools to come. You want separation, do it yourself.

Buy new singlets. Kids love that stuff, they want cool colors, cool designs. Get on social media and highlight everything your kids do. They’ll come.

Stop complaining

Every time a public school coach whines about the advantage of a non-public school, they feed right into the problem.

If you win, especially in wrestling, you deserve it. The right attitude is everything. The sport doesn’t give you what you don’t deserve. If you go in already acknowledging you’re going to lose, then you already did.

You’re all the same

No one school is really better than another. It’s the truth. My oldest son is in high school now and does he ever talk about how great the robotics department is? Or the field trips? Nope. You know what he does talk about? The teachers that he likes and the ones that challenge him. This year it's world history.

Saying one school has a better offerings than another is ridiculous. If one school has an amazing drama program, that’s great, but if kids don't like the teacher, that really doesn't help.

Follow the map

Public school coaches, the road map is there. You don’t need Region 9 to whittle out non-public kids. All the tools are in front of you. I know you already work hard. I know. You’re overlooked and overworked, all just to watch some All-Star team come in and steal the glory and the headlines.

But the sport has evolved. You have to change what you do to get with it. Compete. Make your program great.

You don’t offer your wrestlers shortcuts, so why are you looking for one?

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ wrestling: Region 9 proposal goes against what sport is about