Jimmy Mullen claims second heavyweight title, remains unbeaten against NJ opponents
ATLANTIC CITY — The Jimmy Mullen Sequel was worth the wait.
Now history beckons.
Mullen, the life of Boardwalk Hall and star heavyweight for St. Joseph, won his second state championship Saturday by pinning Dom Brogna (Bergen Catholic) in a tidy 2:49.
Then his emotions ran wild.
The junior from Kearny ran to the boards to hug his friends who had come to watch him perform, then the words came out quickly and excitedly.
“It’s just a special moment, it’s hard to describe,” Mullen said. “You just have a big smile on your face and you don’t know what to do with yourself.”
Two years, Mullen became the first freshman to win a state title at heavyweight. He skipped the tournament as a sophomore to compete in Cadet World Championships. He’s never lost to a New Jersey opponent in high school.
There have only been two three-time state champs at heavyweight: Jimmy Lawson of Manchester Township (2008-2010) and Harry Lanzi of Newton (1946-1948).
“Hopefully, we can make it a third next year,” Mullen said. “But I have a lot of work to improve. I know a lot of kids in this bracket come back, the No. 2 seed comes back, I have to keep improving so they don’t catch up.”
MORE WRESTLING: Complete coverage of the state championships in Atlantic City
Mullen has to say that, but it’s hard to imagine in what area he can improve. Green Knights coach Tom Farinaro described it best: Mullen has the speed and agility of a middleweight and the strength of a heavyweight.
“He’s just getting started,” Farinaro said. “I am excited about watching him in college, because I think he’s just at the beginning. There is so much more.”
Mullen attacked Brogna from the whistle, shooting for a leg, turning it into a double and getting a takedown 33 seconds into the match. That showed the quickness.
Then came the power. Somehow, Mullen can turn bigger opponents with relative ease. He rode out Brogna in the first period. He attacked again in the second period, going from the ankle to a takedown, then a textbook cradle. It was over in a flash.
“I just wanted to wrestle my style,” Mullen said. “It sounds cliché, but I just wrestled Jimmy Mullen style. I will go out there and do whatever I have to do to win.”
It was the fourth time this season Mullen had beaten Brogna.
“We just wanted to get to our offense,” Farinaro said. “There was no difference in our game plan today with Jimmy’s ability and the level he’s at, we knew just to go out there and wrestle your match and the result would speak for itself.”
Mullen will be one of the biggest recruits from North Jersey in the Class of 2023. In addition to being a two-time state champion in wrestling, he’s was an honorable mention All-New Jersey defensive lineman for the Green Knights last year.
He became the third wrestler in St. Joseph history to win two state titles. Damion Logan won three, which is the most for any Green Knight.
“This is an experience that I wouldn’t give up for anything,” Mullen said. “There is no other feeling like this.”
Darren Cooper is a peachy-keen high school sports columnist for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.
Email: cooperd@northjersey.com
Twitter: @varsityaces
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jimmy Mullen of St. Joe's NJ wrestling wins second heavyweight title
