Rebels’ Cunliffe wins match at N.J. Coaches Invitational
Zac Cunliffe got exactly what he wanted at the New Jersey Coaches Association’s All-Star Wrestling Invitational, held Sunday at Rider University, Lawrenceville section of Lawrence.
The undefeated Howell senior went looking for competition to test himself, and that’s what he got. Cunliffe hooked up with C.J. Mays from Oakcrest in the 125-pound match at the event, which brought together most of the top wrestlers in the state who will be competing for state titles in March.
Cunliffe and Mays have been ranked second and third in the state all season behind Camden Catholic’s Ed Giosa. Cunliffe made a strong case for himself with a dominating 7-3 victory.
"I’m a little more confident now," the Rebels’ all-time winningest wrestler remarked. "I got tested. I needed to know where I’m at.
"C.J. is real quick and strong," he said. "I’m real happy with the way I wrestled, but it means nothing. What matters is what you do in March. I’m sure I’ll see him again."
Already a three-time state place-winner, including third-place finishes the last two years, the only thing missing from Cunliffe’s résumé is the state championship.
"I’m going to give it all I’ve got," he said. "If I wrestle my best, I can win it."
Cunliffe has been wrestling up in dual meets to take on the best competition available. It’s the reason he told Jackson High School coach Scott Goodale, who directed Sunday’s tournament, that he wanted to wrestle. Having been so close the last two years (he’s only lost one match each season), Cunliffe is convinced that physical talent alone doesn’t win state championships. It comes down to the mental aspect of wrestling, he said.
"I think it’s 90 percent mental when you get to the states," said Cunliffe. "You have to keep your head into it. You can’t think too much about it, and you can’t think too little. You have to be balanced."
Cunliffe, however, is not simply relying on keeping a more balanced frame of mind this time around. He is still as hard a worker as there is. As a senior, he has become a team leader by example, pushing his teammates along with himself to reach their potential. He wrestled in tournaments throughout the summer and hit the gym just as hard as ever.
"I’ve gotten a little quicker and stronger this year," he said.
Cunliffe began his career as a 103-pounder and gradually moved up each year, wrestling 112 in 2001 and 119 last year. The results were always the same, NJSIAA District 21 titles, Region VI crowns, and winning a place at the state championships.
"The only difference in going up is that the pace slows down," said Cunliffe. "I’m comfortable at 125. I’m not one to cut a lot of weight. I don’t think it’s good for you."
Cunliffe still wrestles with the enthusiasm of someone for whom wrestling is new. He says he looks forward to the grueling workouts and the discipline. The reason, he said, is "the results."
With a 14-0 record, Cunliffe is right where he wants to be at midseason. But he knows at the end of February, when the NJSIAA District 21 championships begin the march toward the state championships, every wrestler is 0-0. It’s at that time that wrestling your best matters the most, and no one knows that more than Cunliffe.
— Tim Morris