# 060: Joe Melchiore

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656/060-joe-melchiore
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656/060-joe-melchiore.md
Podcast: [New Jersey Mat Chat](https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656)
Published: 2026-07-12T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/new-jersey-mat-chat/2978447
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/329189/2978447/new-jersey-mat-chat/2026_07_10_22_23_39_c297f6fd-29d2-4a79-960f-0f4a20195e78.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656/episodes/060-joe-melchiore
Duration seconds: 3547

## Resource

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…

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## Transcript

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