New Jersey High School Wrestling Mini Boards

Class of 2024

Among an ever-growing list of credentials, Louie Cerchio got the state title he needed this season to secure himself firmly as the top guy in the Class of 2024. Already a Fargo 16U champ, Cerchio proved with his mettle this season with high-level attacks on his feet and some convincing mat wrestling. 

Matt Henrich is tough as nails and showed it during his state title run this season. After originally committing to Rutgers, the rising Southern senior has re-opened his recruitment and a Jersey state champ is suddenly back on the market.

Yannis Charles is someone who may seem high on this list, but if you’ve seen him wrestle you know he isn’t. In fact, he could be higher. Charles has some of the best point-scoring potential of anyone, not just in this class but in the state. Still searching for that first state title, Charles remains under the radar after two runner-up finishes in South Carolina. This season, after moving to New Jersey he fell in the finals to Richie Grungo in his first trip to Boardwalk Hall. As he continues to fine tune his game, lookout for the possibility of Charles to be a top 10 guy in his class nationwide. 

Jones was a freshman state champ at 106 pounds back in 2021 and since then has placed in the state twice to go along with placements at Powerade and Beast. Known across the state as a true gamer, he wrestles fearlessly and will be looking to get back atop the podium in his senior season.

Ford is another one whose game college coaches across the country should really like. Out of premiere program Bergen Catholic, Ford is excellent on his feet, three for three and state podium finishes, and also split matches with the aforementioned Charles, this season.

The back half of this group was difficult to sort out. 

Nini’s only loss in-state this season was in sudden victory to #3 on the 2023 Big Board and two-time state champ Tyler Vazquez. He placed at Super 32 in 2021, lost in the blood round in 2022 and took fifth in the Cadet World Championships as a member of team Italy, outplacing Tam USA’s representative Kyler Larkin. Though, he didn’t have to go through the rigorous Team USA World Team process, outplacing the American rep in a tournament where America took home nine medals feels worth noting. He gets the slight nod ahead of 2023 state champs Logan Roman and Hudson Skove who went on killer runs to claim their titles.

A big senior season could certainly push Nathan Taylor further up this list considering he owns some serious wins, but he’s still looking for his first state finals appearance.

Pitt commit Jackson Young rounds out a mean Class of 2024.