While John Poznanski accomplished his own ultimate personal goal, he also made history for Colonia High School, becoming the school’s first state-champion wrestler in 43 years and joining Joseph Draina as the only gold-medal wrestlers in school history.

“It’s great to bring a banner home,” said Colonia head coach Dan Grasso on Poznanski’s title. “But it’s better the kid who’s doing it. He does everything the right way, handles himself the right way. I don’t even want to say it because it’s so cliche, but he’s a pillar of the community. He really is.”

After putting together the most dominant performance of the final round, Poznanski received an exceptionally enthusiastic eruption of applause from the crowd inside Boardwalk Hall, something that can not be said for every state champion.

“He deserves it, and I don’t say that often,” said Grasso on Poznanski’s work effort. “In this day and age, it’s hard to get kids to work like he does. Everything he gets, he’s earned. Not a lot of guys put in the time he does.”

The championship match was typical for a Poznanski bout in that it featured offense, early and often. “I just stick to my gameplan: dominate every match,” said Poznanski. “That’s what I wanted to do all season, and I did it.”

Poznanski jumped out to a 7-1 lead after the first period after a pair of takedowns and a nearfall, further expanding the lead with a reversal and two more nearfalls in the second.
Poznanski scored the pin midway through the second, though he would have won by tech fall had Rada been able to avoid the pin. Poznanski signed with Rutgers and will be attending there in the fall to study sports management.