By Andy Loigu

After compiling a 93-26 record and winning back-to-back Region 1 high school wrestling championships with Warren Hills, Max Nauta did not rust on his laurels. About to graduate from Centenary University in just three years, he has been honored as a 2018 Scholar-All American by the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association.

He and Nick Rivera of Brick Township are the first Scholar All-Americans at Centenary since 2016.

This season, Nauta compiled a 20-5 record and placed fourth in the NCAA Mideast Region Tournament.

Even more impressive is the fact that he totaled 20 credits in the fall semester and 26 in the spring, while wrestling and consistently winning at the varsity level. A typical full-time college student takes 12 to 18 credits per semester.

Nauta is studying business administration with a concentration in sports management and a minor in sociology. He plans on attending graduate school and earning a position as athletic director and head wrestling coach at the collegiate level.

At Warren Hills, Nauta was the Streaks’ first four-time Region 1 finalist since Dave Richmond (2003 to 2006).

At Centenary, head coach John Garriques has always aimed to combine academic and athletic excellence with community service during the 12 years he’s been leading the Cyclones’ wrestling program. He has a legacy of winning seasons, national rankings, and All-American performers.

In his own college days, Garriques was an NCAA national qualifier as a wrestler for Seton Hall University, from where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and minors in communications and psychology.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.