James Farina, 8, from Ocean Township, won the New Jersey State Novice Wrestling Tournament championship at 50 pounds. The state finals were held in Madison.
Farina competed in a nine-wrestler bracket in his weight class. He won his first match, 7-0, over Luke Pangborn of Rumson-Fair Haven, and followed that up with a pinfall victory over Tyler Verge of Stafford Township. Farina won the finals by a major decision, 15- 2, over Carter Boomerbach from Fair Lawn.
To qualify for the state championship, a wrestler had to finish in the top three at a qualifying tournament. Farina punched his ticket to Madison by finishing third at the Regional Qualifier at Toms River High School East.