DePaul wrestler A.J. Mott accomplished a great deal in his junior season, earning county, District and Region championships.  Mott's final goal just barely eluded his grasp, as he fell one win short of placing on the podium at the state finals in Atlantic City.

As the Region 1 wrestling champion at 189 pounds, Mott had a bye into the pre-quarterfinal round.  Mott took care of business in that first match, defeating Jon Conroy of South Plainfield 8-4 to move on to Saturday's quarterfinal.

In what was undoubtedly the toughest weight class at the finals, Mott ran into top seed Mac Mancuso of Holy Spirit.  He gave the 2007 state champion a real run for his money, trailing just 1-0 until giving up a takedown in the final moments of the match.  Mancuso went on to take second place in the weight class, losing a thrilling final to Andrew Campolattano of Bound Brook.

The tough defeat sent Mott into the wrestlebacks, where once again the DePaul wrestler ended up with a difficult matchup, against Billy George of Long Branch.  In a nail-biter, Mott came up one takedown short in a 3-2 defeat.  While George continued on to take third place, Mott's second loss eliminated him from podium contention.

Despite coming home without a medal, Mott distinguished himself at Atlantic City and should be ready to make a deeper run in the state tournament in 2010.  -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now