Jake Elias, a senior wrestler at FTHS, has tied the record for the fastest pin in New Jersey- 4 seconds!

How did you feel after you got the pin?

It felt pretty good. Winning always feels good but I had no idea that my pin was a state record.

What challenges have you faced as a high school wrestler?

Cutting weight is definitely a challenge always but that is also why wrestlers are the toughest athletes in my opinion. Working out isn’t too bad because you are with your team. The wrestling team is very close and we all help each other out.

Do you plan on wrestling in college?

I don’t have any plans to wrestle in college but I would take the opportunity if one comes up.

What was your favorite match that you’ve competed in?

My favorite match would be one I had against a kid from Middletown South named Dylan Rogers. He was ranked #5 in the region and I was unranked at the time and beat him 3-1.

Have you ever tried any other sports?

I played football for my first three years of high school and will be playing lacrosse all 4 years.

What weight class do you wrestle in?

I wrestle 195 and sometimes 220.

What, in your opinion, is the hardest part about wrestling?

The hardest part about wrestling is the strict diets you need to have and the commitments you need to make to be the best you possibly can be. The amount of toughness you need to have to be successful in this sport is key , not just physical toughness but a lot of mental toughness.

Do you personally (or as a team) have any rivals?

Our rivals would be Manalapan and Freehold Boro. We have beat both of them this season.