Karl Monaco, brother of Ernie Monaco and a lifelong New Jersey native, has built an extraordinary legacy in the sport of wrestling as both a nationally recognized competitor and a respected coach. A product of Clifton High School, Karl quickly rose through the ranks of New Jersey's competitive wrestling scene, eventually making his mark at the collegiate level. He began his college wrestling career by earning All-American honors at Montclair State University, where his legacy would become even more distinguished.

 

Throughout his collegiate career, Karl achieved remarkable success as a six-time NCAA All-American, a rare accomplishment that recognized his talent in both Division III and Division I competitions. He was a three-time NCAA Division III national champion, winning titles at 142 pounds in 1987 and 1988, and at 150 pounds in 1989. Additionally, he placed third in the NCAA Division I championships in 1988 (142 pounds) and finished as the runner-up in 1989 (150 pounds). This makes him one of the few wrestlers in history to earn All-American status in both divisions. Overall, Karl was a four-time NCAA finalist and remains one of the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers to emerge from New Jersey.

 

Following his competitive career, Karl transitioned seamlessly into coaching, where he has spent decades mentoring wrestlers at all levels. As an assistant coach at Montville High School and Edge Wrestling, Karl plays a key role in the technical and strategic development of athletes, focusing on the same grit, precision, and discipline that defined his time as a competitor. His coaching impact was further recognized when he was inducted into the Garfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 for his contributions their wrestling program.