Winston finishes career with yet another win
Jackson senior caps four-year run with third state title on the mat
BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer
Perfect: being entirely without fault or defect; flawless. Satisfying all requirements.

JEFF GRANIT staff Jackson Memorial High School's Scott Winston was presented with a plaque by Brick Memorial's Dan O'Cone, president of the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association, after going undefeated for his career and winning his third state title on Sunday at the NJSIAA wrestling tournament in Atlantic City.

Perfect: Scott Winston on a wrestling mat.

In winning his third consecutive state championship on Sunday atBoardwalkHall in Atlantic City, the Jackson Memorial senior capped an undefeated career (137-0), becoming the first unbeaten grappler with more than 100 wins in state history.

Along the way, Winston took on all comers, both in and out ofNewJersey, seemingly getting better with each fallen foe.He was a man among boys; the guy everyone wanted to beat. Only nobody could.

A precise technician with incomparable speed, strength and vision,Winston is truly the perfect wrestler. Despite having no weaknesses on the mat, Winston remains the hardest working wrestler you'll find, practicing two, sometimes three times a day. His focus and tenacity are unmatched, and have been for four years now. He will never be satisfied; never allowhimself to even sniff complacency.

When he walks into a gym, everyone takes notice. He is already a legend, and with the entire state buzzing over his decision to followhis former head coach at Jackson, ScottGoodale, to RutgersUniversity, he will remain in the local public's eye as he chases down collegiate perfection.

One thing is for certain - nothing anyone does fromhere on out can take anything away from what Scott Winston accomplished over the course of his career.

His pursuit of perfection at the high school level is complete.

It's time to move on to the next level, where he will face even greater obstacles. Without question,Winstonwill be ready, and will welcome the challenge, as all the great ones do.

Jackson Memorial head wrestling coach DougWithstandley had a glazed look in his eye followingWinston's pin of SacredHeart's Scott Kelley in the 160-pound final on Sunday.

"Greatness might be an understatement," Withstandley said. "We just witnessed one of the best wrestlers in New Jersey's history, one of the best to ever step foot on the mat here."

Whether or not he is the best everwill be argued on internetmessage boards for years; but one thing is for certain- there was nobody around that could beat him over the last four years.

Ocean Township's Nick Menditto came the closest. The two-time state champion bumped up aweight class and took a flu-riddenWinston into overtime during an all-star match earlier this year before eventually succumbing. Menditto has two state championships on his resume, but it is his match with Winston that people will be talking about for years.

"The Menditto match, he did a great job of shutting my offense down," Winston said when asked about his toughestmatch. "And I just didn't have that pop that match, and he comes in with great gameplans against everyone hewrestles. He's a tough competitor, so Iwas realworried during thatmatch."

Heading into this year's tournament, Winstonwas as heavy a favorite as one could be. And despite breezing to the finals with two pins and a 17-5 decision, Winston was somewhat unhappy with his performance.

"I guess I was wrestling well," he said. "I just train so hard. I go to two practices all the time and I train so hard all summer. I just expect to seemore frommyselfwhen I'm out on the mat."

Heading into the final, Kelley did a little chirping to reporters, telling them that he believed he could be the one to endWinston's streak.

Despite most people scoffing at the idea ofKelley pulling off such amonumental feat, Winston admitted to battling some nerves prior to the match.

"I felt a little bit of anxiousness and nervousness before my match," he said. "I just wanted to get out there and wrestle my hardest. I just didn't want anything stupid to happen, like for me to go out there and wrestle sloppy and get chucked onmy back, or something like that."

WhileWinstonmay have battling nerves, his coach saw something else in his eyes.

"When I saw him warming up and he was bouncing around, he looked like Tigger the Tiger bouncing around, I said 'You've got the look, Scottie. You're gonna put on a show'."

It didn't take long for Winston to put prove his coach's prediction correct.After securing two takedowns in the first period against his taller, defensive opponent, Winston capped his career by using a torque move to pin Kelley's shoulders to the mat just 14 seconds into the second period.

Once it was over, Winston was quick to reflect on his remarkable career.

"It's just been one amazing run,man," he said. "I fell very blessed to dowhat I've done. Alot of great people have come throughNew Jersey and ended upwith a loss, so I just felt I was put in great shoes to do it."

Following his win, the capacity crowd gave Winston a rousing standing ovation. The crowd stayed on its feet as BrickMemorial head coachDanO'Cone, the president of the New JerseyWrestling Coaches Association, read off Winston's laundry list of accomplishments and raised his arm one last time.

"It's definitely great," he said. "The fans inNew Jersey can't be any better.You're not going to find anything better in the whole United States.You can go out to Iowa,where everyone says that their state tournament is great, but you come to New Jersey and your jaw drops."

As Winston thanked the various wellwisherswho swarmed himfollowing the ceremony, Withstandley was left to bask in his star's feat, remarking on his ability to avoid any distractions over the course of the last season.

"I don't know if he does (feel pressure). I definitely might have felt it more than him this year," the coach said. "If he did feel the pressure he carries himself so well. He's an individual that is able to put everything aside and focus on his wrestling. It's a tribute to him, and a tribute to his family."

Withstandley has had the opportunity to match skills with Winston on the practice mats, giving him an even better understanding of just how good he really is.

"I've told Scottie thismany times, if I didn't get a luckymove dropped in and pin him, he techs me or major decisions me every time," the coach said.

" And I wouldn't even have got that, because nobody has, so what makes me think I would."

In talking to those who surround Winston, one thing stands out. As great a competitor as he is, and as revered throughout the nation as has become for his accomplishments on themat, ScottWinston is genuinely liked by teammates, coaches and opponents alike.

When asked for the highlight of his career, the muscular Winston again showed a softer side he never shared with opponents on the mat.

"Just seeing my pop and my mom after my state championships," he said.

"They've done somuch forme duringmy career. They've carted me everywhere and spent somuchmoney on the sport. I just love them and I thank them for everything."

Go figure. The perfect answer.