Before 2025, there were just two individual state champions in Christian Brothers Academy Wrestling history.

On March 8 in Atlantic City, sophomore Paul Kenny joined that exclusive club as the third member. The second-year Colt defeated his St. Joseph Regional opponent in the 120-pound final to win the NJSIAA title.

“It feels great, I have been around this program for a long time and winning a state title for CBA meant a lot,” he said.

Kenny now joins Pete Black in 1969 and Sebastian Rivera in 2016 as an individual state title winner.

His unbelievable season earned him the CBA Digital Network's Wrestler of the Year.

He credits the CBA wrestling program, which includes his younger brother Sean, for helping him achieve this season’s success

“We train everyday together as a team,” he said. “[Sean] is definitely a huge reason why I have success.”

Senior captain AJ Falcone, who was a state finalist in his own division, enjoyed watching Kenny on the mat this season.

“Paul Kenny has been doing everything right for the past year and it showed that he only got better as the season went on,” Falcone said. “He definitely deserves the state championship.”

Kenny finished the season with a 33-2 overall record, with his only losses coming to a fellow state champion and at a national tournament.

Of course, he has a very bright future in front of him. He has two years to continue to prove that he is one of the top wrestlers not only in the state, but also in the country.

“One of my next big goals is being a three-time state champion and making history by being CBAs only multiple time state champion,” he said.

With no Colt in CBA history having been able to win more than one state championship, Kenny is certainly in great position to make history at the Academy.