Scott Winston built a perfect 137-0 record throughout his prep career at Jackson Memorial High School in New Jersey, where he was a three-time state champ … and the only wrestler in state history to graduate with an undefeated record with at least 100 wins. While in high school, he claimed a Junior Nationals freestyle crown in 2007. In 2008, RevWrestling.com ranked him No. 1 in the entire nation among all high school wrestlers in all weight classes.
Scott WinstonYou're not in high school anymore
It may be only about 40-50 miles from Scott Winston's high school to the Rutgers campus in Piscataway, New Jersey … but, so far, the college experience is far removed from what the freshman had experienced before leaving home.
"(Scott) had an unbelievable high school career but now he's low man on the totem pole," acknowledges Goodale, now in his second year as head coach of the Scarlet Knights. "However, the transition has been solid so far -- his training, his academics. It's been a smooth month-and-a-half. He's not afraid to learn."
"The most important lesson I've learned so far moving from high school to college is, time management is everything," according to Scott Winston. "It's something I kept hearing before coming to Rutgers, and didn't fully grasp it until now. There are so many elements of my life that need to fit into a day: classes, study, workouts, eating on schedule. That's all clicked into place now, and I'm doing well."
When asked how wrestler and coach were reunited for Round Two at Rutgers after three years together at Jackson Memorial High School, Scott Goodale says, "He could've gone anywhere. Family is very important to him."
The tale of the two Scotts
"Coach Goodale is a big reason I came here," according to Scott Winston. "He's the best motivator in my life. He's able to say the right thing at the right moment. He's convinced me that I can do what needs to be done."
Winston considered a number of Midwestern collegiate wrestling powerhouses, including the University of Iowa, University of Illinois, and Iowa State. He made one official visit to the heartland, to check out the home of the Fighting Illini. But in a published report, Winston admitted his three-day trip to Champaign-Urbana, "I was homesick. I've been away from home before, but, for some reason, being away this time didn't feel right. I'm very close with my family."
In the interview for RevWrestling.com, when asked about the recruiting process, Winston said, "I'm a Jersey boy. Family's here, I've got a coach I know, great workout partners. It feels right."
The Winston-Goodale partnership goes back a number of years. "I first saw Scott in action in seventh grade," recalls his coach.
Scott Winston grew up in Edison, New Jersey … but, in his first months of high school, his parents moved the family to the Jersey shore area, and, around Thanksgiving of his freshman year, Scott was enrolled at Jackson Memorial. It was then that Scott Winston started wrestling for Scott Goodale.
A path to prep perfection
In his first year at Jackson, Scott Winston was 22-0 at 140 pounds. However, his quest for a New Jersey state title was dashed when he broke his wrist at the end of the season, eliminating him from postseason tournaments.
As a sophomore, Scott moved up to 145, rolled up a 39-0 record, and claimed his first state championship in March 2006. It was then that Scott says the pressure of perfection really started to mount. "No one had to push me to win. I really didn't let the pressure get to me. I simply trained harder."
Junior year, the wins continued to roll in … while the loss column remained blank, adding up to a 40-0 record. At the end of the 2007 season, Scott Winston won his second New Jersey prep title, this time at 152. A couple months later, he won the Junior National title in Fargo -- which he describes as the high point of his wrestling career so far.
As a senior, Scott Winston moved up to 160 pounds, and held tight to perfection, with a 36-0 final season. In the New Jersey state finals, he pinned Scott Kelly of Sacred Heart in the second period in front of a crowd of nearly 11,000 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to claim his third state title (the twenty-second wrestler to achieve this distinction) … and conclude his prep career with an unblemished 137-0 record.
Incredibly, Scott Winston remained cool, calm and collected before his final high school match. According to Doug Withstandley, in his first year as coach at Jackson after Scott Goodale had moved on to Rutgers, "Before the state final, we were on a back mat and next thing I know he and a bunch of other Shore guys are jumping on me and arm-barring me."
It may have been another matter after winning that third title. Scott Winston received two standing ovations from the crowd at the 2008 New Jersey state tournament -- first, immediately after winning his third title, and, a few minutes later, when presented with a plaque by Brick Memorial head coach Dan O'Cone, president of the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association.
Scott Goodale"It was really emotional for me," said Goodale in a published interview.
"If I was there, I don't know if I would have been able to handle it because I'm a very emotional person."
Impressive even in the early years
Long before high school and Rutgers, Scott Winston was introduced to wrestling at age four. "Dad wrestled in high school for two years," says the Scarlet Knight freshman. "However, mom actually got me into it. I was energetic, with energy to burn … I liked (wrestling) right away. It wasn't boring."
While in grade school, Winston competed in recreational-league wrestling programs. It was in seventh grade that he wrestled in a public school program.
It was then that Scott Goodale first saw Scott Winston in action.
According to a newspaper account, Winston was competing at the New Jersey Kid States Tournament as a seventh-grader against Frank Molinaro.
"I was coaching Molinaro, along with Vinnie Santaniello, and it was an eye-opening experience," Goodale is quoted as saying. "Scotty beat him, 3-2. I never thought anybody would beat Frank Molinaro when he was in eighth grade. I said, 'This kid is going to be real good.'"
(To provide an indication of Molinaro's credentials … one year before Winston became a three-time New Jersey state champ, Molinaro became the 21st three-time state champ.)
The formula for success
Ask Scott Goodale to analyze what has made Scott Winston successful, and he says, "He puts a lot of time into (wrestling). He's a real student of the sport. He loves to succeed on a big stage. He's not fazed by top competition."
Ask Scott Winston to analyze his wrestling style, and he replies, "I'm pretty aggressive. In high school, I had a good defense. I like working on my feet."
Coach Goodale realizes that some might question putting the true freshman into the Rutgers lineup right away to compete at 157 pounds. "We wanted someone to compete right away. He's ready to go right now. He may redshirt sometime in the future."
"We realize it's a tough weight class. He'll face up to fifteen of the top twenty guys."
"The competition in my weight class doesn't really cross my mind," according to Winston. "I know they work hard. I plan to work harder. I'm focused on what I need to do. I actually enjoy working out, all with one thing in mind -- to get better."
A winner in all aspects
When asked to describe Scott Winston's demeanor and attitude, Coach Goodale responds, "He has a very outgoing personality … He got the respect of New Jersey with how he handled himself in his prep career and the pressure of being undefeated. He's a real role model, someone who'd stay for two hours to sign kids' autographs, and work with kids at wrestling camps."
Scott Winston (Photo/Ben Fogletto)For Winston, family is the key. "I wouldn't be anywhere without my dad. He's a hardworking guy who gets up at 3 a.m. every day, digging holes every day. His example reminds me every day of the importance of hard work."
Scott Winston also describes himself as being religious. "Before a match, I used to listen to my iPod to get all fired up. Now I pray to God. It's a much calmer approach."
"Everything I've gotten is from Him."
As of this writing, Scott Winston's college wrestling career is ahead of him. He has huge goals: "I want to go out training hard, attacking opponents, all with the goal of being on top of the podium." Considering his perfect 137-0 prep record in New Jersey, Scott Winston may be well-equipped to realize those goals.
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