Hopatcong Star Will Wrestle in College

wrestling standout Joey Cruz will take his talents to Collegeville, Pa., in the fall.

Cruz, a senior, will wrestle at Ursinus College under 32-year head coach Bill Racich. The 120-pounder was one of Hopatcong's most decorated wrestlers, earning more than 100 wins and twice reaching the state wrestling tournament.

For Cruz, the decision to wrestle in college was simple.

"I thought about it, and I would be bored if I didn't wrestle," he said, jokingly. "I wouldn't have anything to do other than study, and that's no fun."

But, really, Cruz said academic scholarships to the tune of $36,000 and Racich helped lure him to the Division III school.

"[Racich] is very dedicated to what he does," said Cruz, who added that Hopatcong head coach Eric Fajerman also recommended Rachich. "He's very involved with his students, in season and out of season. Academics come first to him."

Cruz starred while at Hopatcong. The 2011-2012 Most Valuable Player went 31-7 in his senior campaign and finished with 115 career victories. He also took home Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament, District 2 and Region 1 championships.

Fajerman he thought Ursinus would be a good fit for Cruz, who finished high school with a GPA over 4.0.

"I taught down in that area before I went to Hopatcong and I knew the coach really well," Fajerman said. "He's a really good guy. He's a good coach and they have a decent program. I thought Joey could start there right away."

Cruz becomes the third member of his family to compete in college athletics. His older sisters, Alex [Slippery Rock University] and Nikki [Hofstra University], each were in cheerleaders.