MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspodnent Jersey Shore's Brock Weiss is declared the winner after pinning Selinsgrove’s Cain Carter in a 145-pound bout during a match this year.

He just doesn’t stop moving.

Those five words used by Jersey Shore wrestling coach Crock Herman when describing what makes Brock Weiss so successful on the mat can also serve as an illustration for the senior’s pursuit of his primary goal: a state title.

“He doesn’t worry about what’s going to happen. He just worries about what he’s going to do.”

After coming just short of that goal as a sophomore, placing second at Hershey in 2022, Weiss was in line to complete it through his junior season. On top of winning 29 straight matches, he also won titles at Top Hat and the Neil Turner Memorial Holiday Classic, tournaments featuring 24 and 32 teams respectively.

But abruptly, the dream was once again put on standby. Weiss missed the required weight range to compete at district and just like that, his junior season was over.

“I was down close to weight, and I just stopped sweating,” said Weiss. “I worked out as much as I could. I just couldn’t lose the weight. The scale said what it was, and I had to move on to better things next year.”

With his second-to-last chance to take home a state title extinguished, there were plenty of ways he could’ve reacted. But rather than acquiring a chip on his shoulder, he took on the mindset that he brings to the mat.

He kept moving.

His offseason training resumed, as the Penn State commit worked under three-time world champion wrestler David Taylor at M2 to continue pushing his boundaries and improving.

“It was just to forget about it and move on,” said Weiss on his reaction to missing weight. “There’s more to life than just one missed weight. Just keep on wrestling, get better and come back better than ever.”

And improve he did.

Throughout his high school career, Weiss’s style has revolved around offensive speed, strength and risk, aspects that have typically worked in his favor. Through his first three seasons, he amassed over 100 wins and numerous postseason accolades, over half of which came by pin.

“He’s constantly moving, with a lot of setups and constant pressure,” said Herman when discussing Weiss. “He’s always looking to be the aggressor, looking to score. He’s not afraid to take chances or go after it. That’s what most of the great guys do. They’re just not afraid to score.”

While keeping a similar on-the-mat mentality and remaining the offensive juggernaut he’s been throughout his high school career, Weiss has since added more calculation to his risks. He improved on his neutral and top game as well, according to Herman, while remaining as confident in his game as ever.

“I’m a lot more technical now,” said Weiss when asked about his biggest improvements. “I try to wait for stuff and not just rush matches anymore and try to score a lot of points.”

That’s reflected in the length of his matches early on in his senior year, with most of his pins coming late in the first or second period rather than right out the gate. It’s an evolution in his game that could help him in the long run as well, as the level of competition he faces throughout the season increases. He credits David Taylor, Penn State alumni Mark McKnight and Brad Pataky and his coaches at Jersey Shore for getting him to where he is today.

As his game evolves and his legacy at Jersey Shore continues to grow, his goal remains constant. Even as his career win total approaches historic levels – now needing just 22 more to tie the program record, that’s not something he’s concerned about.

“It’d be cool. But it’s just a name on a banner and I’ve already got my name up there,” said Weiss, who’s now third in career wins with 116. “So, I’m just here to try get my name in the state championship. Wins are wins.”

We’re just under two months away from states, where Weiss will have one last chance to complete his legacy-defining goal. Until that moment comes, he’ll simply continue moving forward.