As New Jersey’s best wrestlers head to Atlantic City for the biggest weekend of the season on March 8, there is a dark cloud hanging over their sport, and it has nothing to do with them.
At a February meeting, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) dropped the number of core Olympic sports from 26 to 25, with wrestling being the casualty in the 2020 Summer Olympics. This decision was made despite the fact that wrestling was contested in the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, along with track and field.
Though wrestling has not gained major exposure through the Olympics, it has given the United States a series of heroes. Dan Gable carried the sport on his shoulders when he won the gold in Munich at the height of the Cold War. Others, such as twotime Olympic champion John Smith, have provided motivation and inspiration. Pursuing Olympic glory has been a goal for any serious wrestler.
There is an IOC meeting in May in which the committee will decide what sports will be included in 2020. Unless the IOC reconsiders, the Olympic dream will vanish for future wrestlers.
Local high school coaches weighed in on the IOC’s decision and the impact it could have on youth wrestling.
“I think it’s terrible to consider removing wrestling from the Olympics,” Howell High School’s John Gagliano said. “It’s the ultimate goal for our sport. We aren’t driven by the idea of going pro, big contracts or huge endorsement deals. Our wrestlers are driven to represent their country by battling in the oldest sport.
“It’s a matter of honor and pride,” he added. “And to hear that there’s no room for that in the games is disappointing.”
Gagliano expressed his concern for the future of the sport.
“Wrestling is bigger now than it has ever been,” he said. “I’m not sure how long it will continue to grow if the games are taken from us. In May, they will go to a final vote, so we need to fight this so it doesn’t get eliminated.”
Freehold Township High School head coach Jack Withstandley agrees. “As you know, wrestling is a very tough sport and it’s hard to get kids to make a commitment to our sport,” he said. “I think dropping wrestling from the Olympics will have an effect on our programs down the road.
“Some athletes that excel in wrestling may want to take it to the next level … college and maybe the Olympics,” he continued. “Every serious athlete’s dream is to make a name for himself and reach higher goals. Taking away that opportunity by eliminating wrestling from the Olympics is damaging to the sport and crushing to the individual wrestler’s goals.”
Freehold High School coach Matthew Shepherd can’t believe the IOC’s decision. While he doesn’t see the decision having an immediate impact on high school wrestling, he believes it will ultimately take its toll.
“I think that it is ridiculous that they dropped it,” he said. “While it is not a final decision, the fact that it is on the table is disheartening. Wrestling is one of the original Olympic sports, and over 30 countries have won a medal in it. More than 70 countries participate in both men’s and women’s wrestling.
“The ultimate goal of a wrestler at any age is to win an Olympic medal,” he added.
Shepherd knows the inspiration that Olympic champions provide young wrestlers firsthand.
“I remember in high school training with John Smith and he was like a God to us,” he said. “These young kids have guys like (Jordan) Burroughs and (Jake) Varner to look up to.”
Shepherd believes that eventually, the loss of the Olympics will have an impact on high school wrestling.
“As far as it affecting high school, there is still the draw of an NCAA scholarship and competition,” he said. “I feel bad for a kid like (South Plainfield High School’s Anthony) Ashnault or (Toms River High School South’s B.J.) Clagon; 2020 is a realistic goal for those guys that is going to be taken away from them.
“Jersey has a strong wrestling tradition [of trying to get] a ticket to the state finals in Atlantic City,” he added. “I do think that there will eventually be a trickle-down effect if it is cut, but it will not hit high schools for a while.”