Longtime NJ wrestling coach Stan Woods becomes the first to reach 800 wins

EMERSON — Stan Woods is in a league of his own.

And so is his Emerson/Park Ridge wrestling program.

Woods, who is in his 55th season at the helm of the co-op program, claimed his 800th career win as the Cavos captured their fifth straight NJIC title on Wednesday, defeating Butler, 42-35, at Emerson High School. The 81-year-old is the first New Jersey coach to reach that milestone.

The Cavos have now won every conference title since the league introduced a playoff tournament in 2017.

This is the second straight time EPR defeated Butler in the conference championship. The Cavos defeated Pompton Lakes the first three years, each time by significant margins.