From Fargo champion to New Jersey state champion to Division I wrestling at Pitt, Evan Tallmadge's journey has been anything but ordinary.

In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, former Brick Memorial standout Evan Tallmadge shares his path through New Jersey wrestling, his time at the Naval Academy, his decision to transfer to Pitt, and how his faith has transformed both his wrestling career and his life.

In this conversation, Evan discusses:

🏆 Winning a Fargo National Championship

🏆 Capturing two New Jersey State Championships

🏆 Why freestyle wrestling elevated his folkstyle game

🏆 The challenges of competing at the Naval Academy

🏆 Why Pitt was the right fit after transferring

🏆 The reality of Division I wrestling and college recruiting

🏆 NIL, the transfer portal, and the future of college wrestling

🏆 How his relationship with Jesus Christ changed his outlook on competition and life

Evan also talks about his goals of becoming an NCAA champion, competing on the world stage, and building a life rooted in faith as he prepares for marriage.

Whether you're a New Jersey high school wrestler, a college wrestling fan, or someone looking for perspective on competition, purpose, and perseverance, this episode offers an honest look at one athlete's journey on and off the mat.

🤼 Guest: Evan Tallmadge

🏆 2× New Jersey State Champion (Brick Memorial)

🥇 Fargo National Champion

🟦 University of Pittsburgh Wrestling

Subscribe for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and legends shaping New Jersey wrestling.

••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com

00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor

01:26 – Meet Evan Tallmadge

01:37 – How Wrestling Found Him at Age 5

03:05 – Brick Township to Brick Memorial

05:22 – Becoming a New Jersey State Contender

06:41 – Winning Fargo Changed Everything

09:00 – Why Freestyle Made Him Better

11:05 – Two NJ State Titles at Brick Memorial

13:14 – Fargo Opens the Door to College Wrestling

14:13 – Why He Chose Navy

15:12 – The Reality of Wrestling at a Service Academy

18:43 – Transferring to Pitt & Starting Over

20:42 – Why Pitt Wrestling Is on the Rise

22:29 – The New Pitt Wrestling Facility

24:31 – Chasing NCAA & World Titles

25:18 – The Jump from NJ Wrestling to Division I

30:15 – NIL, The Transfer Portal & College Wrestling Today

31:22 – Looking Ahead to Next Season at Pitt

32:10 – Finding Faith Through Wrestling & Life

34:51 – How Faith Changed His Wrestling Career

36:19 – Wrestle With Faith & Sharing His Message

39:26 – Life Beyond Wrestling & Getting Married

42:40 – Raising the Next Generation of Wrestlers

45:21 – What He Would Change About His Career

47:21 – Final Thoughts & Wedding Plans

Before there was social media, there was Joe Melchiore.

Long before today's national rankings and viral highlights, Joe Melchiore became one of the most feared wrestlers New Jersey had ever produced.

A 3-time New Jersey State Champion, South Jersey's first 100-match winner, 4-time NCAA All-American, and NCAA finalist under Dan Gable at Iowa, Joe's career helped define an era of New Jersey wrestling.

In this episode of New Jersey Mat Chat, Joe shares incredible stories from one of the greatest wrestling careers in state history, including:

🏆 Building Highland into a national powerhouse

🏆 Winning three New Jersey state championships

🏆 Wrestling internationally as a teenager

🏆 Why he left Oklahoma to wrestle for Dan Gable at Iowa

🏆 Rooming with NFL legend Brian Bosworth

🏆 Wrestling John Smith in the NCAA Finals

🏆 The reality of Foxcatcher and life at John du Pont's farm

🏆 How wrestling—and New Jersey wrestling specifically—has changed over the last 40 years

Joe also reflects on the sacrifices, injuries, and lessons that shaped his career, while sharing his thoughts on why toughness and fundamentals still separate the best wrestlers from everyone else.

Whether you're a longtime fan who remembers Highland's dynasty or a young wrestler chasing your own dreams, this episode is packed with history, perspective, and timeless wrestling wisdom.

🤼‍♂️ Highland Regional Wrestling

🏆 3-Time New Jersey State Champion

🥇 4-Time NCAA All-American

🦅 University of Iowa Wrestling

🎙️ New Jersey Mat Chat

••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com

00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor

01:26 – Meet NJ Wrestling Legend Joe Melchiore

01:46 – Building Highland Wrestling From the Ground Up

03:47 – Recruiting Before Recruiting Existed

05:22 – The Tattoo That Cost Him Iowa

07:17 – Becoming South Jersey's First 100-Match Winner

08:42 – Why Freestyle Made Him Dominant

10:05 – Wrestling Around the World as a Teenager

11:03 – His Unique Wrestling Style & Greco Influence

13:56 – Falling Short as a Freshman at States

16:06 – Winning Three NJ State Championships

17:18 – Why Pennsylvania Made Him Better

19:05 – The Oklahoma Recruiting Process

20:40 – Rooming With Brian Bosworth

22:11 – Choking Out "The Boz"

22:39 – Becoming a 4-Time NCAA All-American

24:06 – The Match That Still Haunts Him

25:54 – Cutting 22 Pounds in 18 Hours

29:10 – Leaving Oklahoma for Dan Gable & Iowa

31:39 – Life Inside the Iowa Wrestling Room

34:15 – What Made Dan Gable So Great?

36:36 – Wrestling John Smith in the NCAA Finals

40:15 – Career-Ending Injuries & Knee Surgeries

43:19 – Foxcatcher: What the Movie Got Wrong

46:36 – Walking Away From Competition

49:18 – Would His Generation Beat Today's Wrestlers?

52:25 – Why Toughness Never Goes Out of Style

55:02 – The Greatest NJ High School Wrestler Ever?

56:03 – Training the Next Generation

58:29 – Final Thoughts & Outro

Most wrestlers would've shut it down. Noah Hernandez kept competing.

Seton Hall Prep standout Noah Hernandez joins New Jersey Mat Chat to share the story of wrestling through a torn elbow during the postseason, winning a district title, finishing as a regional runner-up, and earning a trip to the New Jersey State Championships.

In this episode, Noah talks about:

🔥 Why he chose Seton Hall Prep over other powerhouse programs

🔥 How a reclass year transformed his wrestling career

🔥 Training with Ruthless Wrestling Club and Jeff Buxton

🔥 Why freestyle wrestling has elevated his folkstyle game

🔥 Winning districts despite a torn elbow

🔥 Wrestling in Atlantic City with one arm

🔥 Missing Fargo because of injury

🔥 His goal of becoming a Division I wrestler

Noah also discusses the brotherhood at Seton Hall Prep, balancing academics with wrestling, cutting weight, and the unforgettable experience of stepping onto the mats in Atlantic City for the first time.

Despite being only a freshman, Noah has already shown the toughness, discipline, and mindset that make New Jersey wrestling special. With another offseason ahead, he's determined to come back stronger than ever.

🤼‍♂️ Seton Hall Prep Wrestling

🏆 District Champion

🥈 Regional Finalist

📍 New Jersey State Championships

🔥 New Jersey Mat Chat

••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com

00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor

01:26 – Meet Seton Hall Prep's Noah Hernandez

01:37 – How Noah Got Started in Wrestling

02:30 – Growing Up in a Wrestling Family

03:17 – The Reclass Year That Changed Everything

04:59 – Why He Chose Seton Hall Prep

06:20 – The Daily Train Ride to School

06:37 – Training at Seton Hall Prep, Ruthless & With Jeff Buxton

07:24 – Freshman Expectations & Early Confidence

08:00 – The Win That Changed His Season

08:39 – Why Freestyle Made Him Better

09:16 – Managing Weight & Using CutPro

10:19 – Seton Hall Prep's Team Culture

10:49 – Winning Districts With a Torn Elbow

11:24 – Battling Through Regions Injured

12:00 – Wrestling at Atlantic City With One Arm

12:46 – Missing Fargo & Recovering From Injury

13:30 – Why Every Wrestler Should Try Freestyle

14:15 – State Title or Fargo Title?

16:38 – Why He's Moving Up to 126 Pounds

17:13 – The Mindset That Got Him Through Injury

18:00 – Why Seton Hall Prep Feels Like Family

18:42 – Dreams of Wrestling Division I

19:14 – Academics & Life at Seton Hall Prep

20:19 – Preparing for Next Season

21:30 – Lessons From His Freshman Year

22:31 – Thanking His Coaches & Family

22:53 – Walking Into Atlantic City for the First Time

23:11 – Final Thoughts & Outro