By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Matt Carr missed a trip to the Region VII wrestling tournament last year by one place.
The New Egypt High junior made sure that he made it this season by winning the 103-pound championship in the District 25 tournament Saturday. Carr defeated James Mottram of Allentown, 6-0, for his first district title, and is one of six Warriors to advance to regions in the best recent showing by New Egypt.
”It’s pretty important to me,” Carr said. “My brother won it as a senior. It was kind of cool to win it too.
”Last year, I came in fourth place. I just wanted to improve as much as I could and give it my best.”
Tyler Miller was the Warriors’ other district champion, also a junior. Miller stopped River Ulrich of Steinert, 7-2, to capture the 160-pound weight class.
”Tyler has only wrestled 160 once this year,” said New Egypt head coach Kevin English. “He’s coming down a weight class. The one time he did it before, it was kind of a struggle to get down. He did it a little smarter, a little better. Wrestling 171- and 189-pounders all year worked for him. He went in physically stronger than 160-pounders. He looked great on his feet and blocking shots. It’s something you look for — are you picking up the pace and hitting things right? It’s good to see.”
The Warriors had three other second-place finishers. Kit Creager fell in the 130-pound final to Robbinsville’s David Bossie, 5-3. Northern Burlington’s Harley Palyok defeated New Egypt’s Brad Schware, 7-2 in the final at 152. Pemberton’s Rick Undercuffer beat Rigo Morfin in the 189-pound final. Sean Pryzbylkowski won his consolation bout at 125 for third place. New Egypt was second in the overall team standings with 124½ points. Northern Burlington won the team title with 156.
”Six guys qualified. It’s a great showing,” English said. “There were times during the tournament that we could have scored more points and put pressure on Northern Burlington and possibly taken the team title.”
Carr did his part to help New Egypt along. He was top-seeded for 103 pounds and lived up to the billing as he has throughout the season.
”Semifinals and finals were both tough matches,” Carr said. The semifinal was a little tougher match. It was closer.”
With his perfect district run, he improved to 34-1, quite a jump from last year’s 20-win campaign.
”I worked at it all summer long and the fall and spring,” Carr said. “I knew I’d be better than last year. I wanted to go out and prove myself.”
The districts were a good proving ground. It showed that his off-season dedication was worth it.
”I did a lot of tournaments, as many as I could,” Carr said. “I wrestled at Elite at Jackson and Wrecking Crew in Mount Holly.”
Carr worked a lot at his moves out of the neutral position to become a more complete threat.
”Last year and the previous year, I was more of a defensive wrestler on my feet,” he said. “I know I can take shots now and take kids down. I feel confident on top and bottom too.”
As a favorite, Carr had the bulls-eye on him all tournament, and in his most successful season yet, he’s learning to counter some new tactics from opponents who want to keep the score close through the match and try to pull out the upset win at the end. That tactic did keep some opponents closer than they should have been.
”We talked about that he has to open up his offense and change his style when guys are going to wrestle that way,” English said. “The bottom line, he was at the top of the podium. He did enough and wrestled well enough to be up there.
”He took fourth last year in an unbelievably loaded weight class. He didn’t go too high in weight and was able to get back to that weight class. Being 34-1, he’s dominated his weight class. Being a strong junior in that weight class, he’s put himself in this position to be the favorite to win the region title. It’s good to see.”
Carr expects this to be his final year at 103 pounds before he moves up as a senior. He will move up with a district crown, something that was a big goal for this season, but only one thing that he wants. He really would like to earn his first trip to Atlantic City for the Tournament of Champions.
”That would mean a lot to me,” he said. “That’s my overall goal, and to finish up with a good season.”
New Egypt is closing another solid season in fine fashion. The Warriors will have the chance to make the year even better if they can finish as well as they did at districts at the region meet.
”We have six in, which is the most we’ve ever had,” English said. “Looking at the matchups, I don’t see why all six of them can’t make it to Friday night. We’ve wrestled a tough enough schedule and prepared these kids. There should be no fear or anxiety or doubt that they can win. It’s a matter of who’s going to show up, who’s going to be confident. It should be exciting.”

