Cornell wrestler Simon Ruiz lives in Tennessee these days, and he goes to school in upstate New York.

But when he wrestled last Saturday night in the NWCA All-Star Classic at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena, the two-time New Jersey state champion was home.

“I’m not actually a Jersey guy any more, I have roots other places now,” said Ruiz, a Delbarton graduate. “But once a Jersey guy, always a Jersey guy.

“Jersey is awesome. I make a joke every time I wrestle here I’m going to power up five points, plus five strength, plus five speed. Every time I come back, I have to eat a Taylor Ham, egg and cheese.”

Ruiz and Pope John graduate and Virginia Tech senior Eddie Ventresca were each fifth-place finishers at NCAAs last year who started their 2025-2026 campaigns back in their home state in

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