A year ago, Nick O’Connell went into the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships with all sorts of bodily problems. Not only did he have a lingering shoulder issue, one of his knees still wasn’t completely up to par and a gash in his head was being held together by a bunch of staples.

Not that the Southern Regional senior ever would make excuses for his performance on the mat, but the fact is he simply wasn’t healthy enough to wrestle his best in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.