037: The Climb with Will Cruz

He didn’t grow up wrestling. He didn’t start early. And he still made the state finals. Paulsboro standout Will Cruz joins New Jersey Mat Chat to break down his journey from starting the sport in 7th grade to becoming one of the top wrestlers in New Jersey. We talk about wrestling up for the team, dealing with losses at districts and regions, earning the #1 seed at states, and making a run to the state finals — all while learning how to handle pressure, setbacks, and expectations. This episode is about growth, mindset, and what it really takes to climb in NJ wrestling. If you’re a wrestler, parent, or coach — this is one you need to hear. 🤼‍♂️ Paulsboro Wrestling 🎯 State Finals Run 📍 Built in New Jersey 00:00 – Show Open & NJ Officials PSA 00:46 – Meet Will Cruz | Paulsboro Wrestling 01:00 – From Brooklyn to Paulsboro (No Wrestling Background) 01:40 – Starting Wrestling Late (7th Grade Story) 02:30 – First Coach Impact & Learning the Hard Way 03:20 – Life at Paulsboro HS (Small School Culture) 04:20 – Why He Chose Wrestling Over Soccer 05:00 – Freshman Year Struggles & Getting Tougher 06:10 – Building a Name Early in NJ Wrestling 07:00 – Fargo, Freestyle & Rapid Improvement 07:50 – “I Told Myself I Had to Win a State Title” 08:40 – Wrestling Up a Weight for the Team 09:30 – Fighting Through Injury & Being Sick at States 10:30 – District Loss → Reset Mindset 11:10 – Region Loss → “Next Week Is a New Tournament” 12:00 – Adjusting Training Before States 12:50 – Getting the #1 Seed (Unexpected Reaction) 13:40 – Why He Doesn’t Look at Brackets 14:20 – Mindset Shift: “You’re Will Cruz” 15:00 – State Semifinal Pin (Breakthrough Moment) 16:00 – Night Before Finals (No Weight Cut Stress) 16:50 – Sister Also Makes State Finals (Family Moment) 17:30 – State Finals Match Breakdown 18:20 – The Moment He Felt Overwhelmed 19:00 – Post-Match Emotion & Disappointment 20:00 – The Ride Home From Atlantic City 21:00 – Coaches’ Message: “You Got Next Year” 22:00 – Goals for Next Season (State Title Mindset) 22:40 – Wrestling Style Inspiration (Japan & Burroughs) 23:30 – College Goals & Virginia Tech Interest 24:10 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next