Tr South’s Corrigan Finishes High School Wrestling Career With State Championship By Pat Ralph

In his four years as a wrestler for Toms River South, senior Cole Corrigan had accomplished just about everything that a high school wrestler could. He was a District champion, a Region champion, and a state medalist. But one single milestone eluded him: a state championship.

However, that honor eludes Corrigan no more. In his fourth trip to the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championship in Atlantic City, Corrigan capped his successful high school wrestling career with a state title in the 152-pound weight class over Brian Meyer of Phillipsburg. With the victory, Corrigan completed an undefeated senior season for the Indians. 

“It was a culmination of a tremendous career,” TR South head coach Ron Laycock said. “He’s been a really talented wrestler and it was very rewarding as a coach and for our staff.”

Corrigan was the only one of five Shore Conference wrestlers to capture a state title in Atlantic City this year, but the feeling of defeat on the sport’s biggest stage in New Jersey is a familiar one for him. After qualifying for the state championship as a freshman, Corrigan had his breakout moment as a sophomore in 2016 by placing seventh in the Garden State. With high expectations heading into his junior season, Corrigan was upset in the state quarterfinals and failed to medal. That disappointment stuck with him all the way until this year’s state final and he never forgot about it, Laycock said.

“He never had a great state tournament yet,” Laycock said. “He’s been tremendously confident and so focused on his goal. He was really confident that he could reach that goal of winning a state title.”

According to his head coach, the Columbia University-bound Corrigan’s key to capturing the state championship was improving his mental strength. “He improved his mental game and he believed and felt confident that he could win,” Laycock said. “He stayed so focused with so many distractions going on that weekend.”

Laycock attributes Corrigan’s success as a high school wrestler at TR South to his work ethic. “The work ethic and time that he has put in is why he has been so successful over his career,” Laycock said. 

Corrigan is now the eighth state champion in Toms River South history and the first state champion in program history since B.J. Clogan captured back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 for the Indians. Along with his state title and undefeated senior year, Corrigan finished his high school career with 141 career victories, two state medals, four state championship appearances, two Region championships in his junior and senior seasons, and four District championships.

Corrigan’s 141 wins is the third-most in program history at TR South and he is now one of 13 wrestlers in program history to win multiple Region titles. Corrigan is also one of three four-time District champions in program history in the last eight years. For Laycock, Corrigan’s legacy at Toms River South has been solidified. 

“You have to put him up there as one of the greats in program history,” Laycock said. “He ranks as one of the best ever from our school.”