Justin Chrostowski
Sport: Wrestling
School: Butler
Class: Senior Age: 17
Accomplishment: Helped Butler win both its meets last week with wins over Kinnelon’s Ryan Kriskewic
and Glen Rock’s Angelo Piazza.
R has come a long way on the mat. He’ll go to even greater lengths for his country.
The senior from Butler will begin a 12-year commitment next season after deciding to wrestle at West Point. Chrostowski is interested in computer science and cyber operations (he goes to Morris County School of Technology) and was drawn to the opportunity to lead.
But before the straight-A student heads up north, he has a mission to take care of back home. He wants to become the first state medalist from Butler since Anthony Leardi in 2002. After bulking up this offseason, he is feeling more confident on the mat.
“I was really skinny last year. I was like 6-3, 145,” Chrostowski said. “In the offseason, being locked inside at home, not being able to wrestle, everyone was telling me you have the frame. You have to build it up. So I just started working out.”
Within months, a scrawny wrestler transformed into a chiseled 182-pound star. He passed the time in quarantine by working out six days a week, while eating “upwards of 4,000 calories” a day. It’s taken his game to another level after reaching the state championships last season.
Chrostowski won his first seven matches this season, including five by forfeit or pin. He is currently ranked second in North Jersey at his weight class.
“Justin is very technical,” coach Jason Luciani said. “He knows every position forward and back. He’s just incredibly tough and incredibly intelligent and a true student of the sport of wrestling.”
A technical approach goes beyond wrestling for the son of two Polish immigrants.
His parents both work in the tech field and Chrostowski is poised to follow in their footsteps. He wants to learn about security and networks while at the military academy. There, he is required to serve five years of active duty and three in the reserves.
“Once I graduate, I’ll become a second lieutenant,” Chrostowski said. “I’ll be able to be in charge of a group of enlisted soldiers. To put leadership on top of schoolwork is something that really attracted me to the academy in general.”
Chrostowski can laugh now when he thinks about his journey on the mat.
When he started wrestling in second grade, his parents weren’t sure if it was the right sport for him. Soccer looked like a better alternative after Chrostowski went “one and twenty-something” in his rookie season.
By Sean Farrell / NorthJersey.com / Record Sports Staff
