Ryan Burton Secures 175lb. State Title and Season Sweep Over Cerchio

Ryan Burton, hailing from St. Joe’s Regional, has been nothing short of sensational in his junior year, and he crowned it by winning the title at 175 lbs in a season where he's proven to be unstoppable. His final conquest at the New Jersey State Wrestling Championships was against a familiar foe, former State Champ Louis Cerchio of Delbarton, marking this the third time this year that Burton has bested Cerchio on the mat.

Burton's path to the championship was a display of sheer dominance. He opened the tournament with a technical fall over Griffin Goldmacher, showcasing superior skill. This was followed by back-to-back pins in under a minute each against Gavin Seiler and Temuulen Mendbileg, sending a clear message to the competition.

In the semifinals, Burton faced the 3rd place winner Connor Scuilla, where he demonstrated his technical finesse with a commanding 13-4 major decision victory. But it was the final bout that truly tested Burton's mettle.

The championship match was a tactical affair from the start, with both wrestlers unable to score in the first period. Cerchio gained an early advantage in the second with an escape and a takedown, but Burton quickly escaped, narrowing the gap to 3-1.

Choosing bottom to start the third, Burton escaped to make it 3-2. The match intensified as both wrestlers engaged in a battle of wits and strength. Cerchio's deep single leg attempt resulted in a dramatic scramble with no points were awarded. With less than a minute remaining, Burton's persistence paid off as he nearly turned Cerchio, earning a crucial two points to take the lead on the match.

Cerchio's escape made it 4-4, but Burton was relentless. As the clock wound down, he countered Cerchio's attempt, took his back, and with that final takedown, he secured the championship with a 6-4 victory.

Ryan Burton, in a thrilling finish, became the 175 lb state champion, completing a perfect season sweep over Cerchio. His performance throughout the tournament was as spectacular as he was all season. As he looks ahead to his senior year, the wrestling community waits in anticipation for what this outstanding athlete will accomplish next.