Wrestlers Ready for State Tournament

The answer was easy: Yes. There was no doubt; no hesitation.

Niles Turner and Tyreek Smith are confident they will win state titles this weekend at the 2011 New Jersey Kids State Wrestling Finals.

The finals will be held in the Moorestown Athletic Center at Moorestown High School from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the event is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Turner, a heavyweight, completed his middle school season undefeated, recording 12 pins in 14 matches and surrendering no points; he also won a county title. He was a 2010 state champion.

Smith, a 189-pounder, was 19-0 with 19 pins and a county title during the middle school season; he placed fourth in states last year.

The secret to their success?

“Luck is always on my side,” said Smith who has been wrestling for seven years.

“Power and muscle,” said Turner.

Smith, an intermediate wrestler, will compete Saturday along with other Junior Quaker wrestlers James Macrae, Thomas Johnson and Anthony Cruze. On Sunday Turner, a junior wrestler, will compete with Nate Dalmass and Will Corbi.

Bantam wrestlers Liam Johnson and Adam Robinson and high school cadet Zach Nice will compete at state finals in Union March 19-20.

There will be 24 wrestlers in each weight class. The top 8 will receive medals.

“They have all worked really hard,” said Ed Nice, head of the Junior Quakers Wrestling program. “These kids have come a long way.”

In addition to Turner and Smith, Nice sees Zach Nice as a contender for a state title.

A year ago, Zach Nice dislocated his knee during a match. He missed his freshman wrestling season, which he had been looking forward to, rehabbing.

“It was what me and Jake wanted,” said Zach of his brother, who is a senior.

His knee feels great, he said.

“I’m hyped,” said Zach, who will compete in the 112-pound weight class. “I feel like I’ll do better. I’ve been practicing hard.”

For Ed Nice, who came back to the program seven years ago after a six-year hiatus, is looking forward to this weekend’s and next weekend’s tournaments.

“The first couple of years we were building the program,” he said. “Now, we’re taking kids to advanced tournaments. We’d like to see as many kids as we can medal.”