Paramus' Cochran Earns School First State Title Since 1982 At Buzzer

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.— Moments before boarding the bus to the 2016 NJSIAA State Championships, Kyle Cochran sat in a quiet Paramus High School athletic office with Coach Chris Falato preparing to prove spectators wrong.

Paramus' Kyle Cochran stands atop the podium after winning his first state wrestling title.
Photo Credit: *Dina Cochran*

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine

Paramus' Kyle Cochran and coach Chris Falato.
Photo Credit: *Cecilia Levine*

Paramus coaches celebrate as Kyle Cochran comes out of the NJSIAA semifinal round victorious.
Photo Credit: *Cecilia Levine*

Cecilia Levine

03/06/2016 10:00 p.m.

It was the last interview that Cochran would have in his hometown before making history as the high school's first state champion since then-senior Neil Hanley (123) in 1982.

"Everybody that watches wrestling wouldn't think that I'm going to win states, but I honestly think I can, and I will," Cochran told Daily Voice (SEE: VIDEO: Record-Setting 7 Paramus Wrestlers Head To States).

In a two-point move at the buzzer, Cochran (160) took down Don Bosco's Kyle Bierdumpfel at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Sunday afternoon.

The Paramus grappler trailed 2-0 before a third period escape cut the deficit to one.

"If I'm in the right state of mind mentally and physically, I'm too quick for people, and I'm too strong for people," Cochran said.

Anthony Locicero contributed to this article.

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