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Winston helps Jackson capture title
Decision at 145 sparks school to first group crown; Paulsboro, Camden
Catholic also triumph

Monday, February 20, 2006
BY RON JANDOLI
For the Star-Ledger

Scott Winston knew Jackson's first state group title and the No. 1 ranking in The Star-Ledger Top 20 were resting squarely on his shoulders when Southern Regional coach John Stout took a calculated risk and sent Keith Dillard out to meet the talented sophomore.

Winston, who lost to Dillard in their only previous meeting in the off-season, responded with a punishing, six-point decision at 145 pounds to ignite a three-bout surge that sent top-ranked Jackson to a 26-23
triumph over No. 4 Southern Regional, the 2005 champion, in the NJSIAA/Star-Ledger Group 4 championship before 5,000 yesterday at the Ritacco Center in Toms River.

The victory for Jackson (29-1) was the third this season over its Shore Conference rival -- each team won seven bouts in all three duals -- and it capped a remarkable run for the Ocean County school. Jackson went unbeaten against in-state competition, beat four nationally ranked teams and five teams ranked in The Star-Ledger's top 10.

"This is extra special winning the first state championship in Jackson history while being ranked No. 1," Jackson coach Scott Goodale said."These kids have taken every challenge throughout a grueling season and responded each and every time. I couldn't be prouder of them."

Goodale was especially proud of Winston, who's unbeaten in his first 51 high school bouts after the 9-3 victory over Dillard. After seeing Winston struggle to a one-point victory in Jackson's 48-20 victory over
Morris Knolls in yesterday morning's semifinals, Stout elected to send the 25-2 Dillard against Winston at 145 pounds instead of bumping Dillard up to 152.

"The last two times we wrestled them, Winston got bonus points and I didn't want to give them a pin there," said Stout, whose Manahawkin squad was the lone team in New Jersey to put a scare into Jackson this year. "We lost two close matches to them and I felt putting Dillard out there gave us our best chance to win the match. We went for it and it just didn't work out."

After Winston pulled Jackson within 20-19, Dave Concepcion gave Jackson the lead for good with two bouts remaining by registering an 8-4 decision at 152. Then a workmanlike effort by Ken Carney (28-1) resulted in a 15-6 major decision at 160 to give Jackson a 26-20 lead, and Dan Hopkins stayed off his back in the final bout to clinch Jackson's first state championship and Star-Ledger Top 20 Trophy.

"I was kind of nervous. My stomach was twitching like crazy and that never happens before a match," said Winston, who is ranked No. 1 in the state at 145 by The Star-Ledger. "I sort of knew I'd get Dillard and I knew there was a lot of pressure and animosity toward me. But there was no way I was going to let my team down after all we've been through this year."