Andrew Johnson stood at the side of the mat, shoulders slumped forward, as teammates from Buena Regional High School stepped up one at a time with a high five and some encouragement.
"Don't worry about it," one said, putting his hands on Johnson's shoulders as a team athletic trainer stood behind the wrestler, shearing off his hair.
Johnson wore thick, dark brown dreadlocks to a meet on Wednesday against rival Oakcrest, another one of the top wrestling teams in southern New Jersey. But before the 120-pound bout could begin, the referee gave Johnson a choice: Forfeit the match or get a quick haircut to comply with athletic regulations.