By Andrew Petropulos
The annual Most Dominant Wrestler award is the highest individual recognition given in the NCAA wrestling system. Despite receiving this award for a season that can be best described as dominant, Springfield College junior Myles Leonard is still hungry for more.
The title of Most Dominant Wrestler is given to one individual in each division of NCAA wrestling. It first debuted at the 2012 wrestling championships, and has remained central to the wrestling award ceremonies. The title is given based on a measurement of regular season success, with the student-athlete’s points awarded per match as the deciding factor.
Leonard’s success can be summed up in more ways than one. Leonard ended the season with a total of 21 pins in the 184-pound weight class, had a record of twenty-nine to one, and led the pride to twelve meet wins.
“This offseason I put on a lot of weight,” Leonard said. “I went from wrestling 165 to 184. So I was lifting a lot. I got pretty strong. And then, you know, in the room, we had two national qualifiers in the two weights below me. So I had great practice partners and great coaching. So, I mean, this offseason, I just wanted to get bigger, and I got bigger. I had good partners and stuff. It was easy to get better in that type of environment.”
The Pride’s team accolades include the NCAA championship qualifiers Nick Rogers and Jacob Dequire. Deguire was named an All-American at the national championships in Providence, R.I., and surpassed the 100 career win mark. The squad finished the season with a 12-4 overall record, and managed to beat Stevens Institute of Technology, a college never previously surpassed by the Pride.
“I mean, when I first came here, we were very strong in light weights, and our heavier weights were a little weaker. But I guess the dynamic kind of switched a little,” Leonard said. “We had two national qualifiers at ’65 and ’74. I would have made it, and Ben Katz, our heavyweight, was one of the best kids on the team as well. So we could have had four national qualifiers in the top five weights, which is pretty cool. Just having that, we all fed off each other and made each other better.”
Despite receiving the award on April 7, Leonard’s season end was highlighted by complications that forfeited his postseason abilities. The award is given for regular season success.
“Receiving the most dominant award, it was like a good consolation prize,” said Leonard. “I didn’t get to finish my season, so it just showed that I had a good year despite not making nationals or even placing in the region, which I know I would have done.”
After the Pride’s takedown of WPI on the team’s senior night, Leonard sustained a knee injury that put him out of competition for the rest of the season. Leonard missed the New England championships as well as nationals.
“I got my eyes on something else,” said Leonard. “I want to be an All-American, a national champ. So, I got the award, but it doesn’t mean too much to me, it just shows that I did work hard, you know?”
This year is not Leonard’s last shot to attain his post-season goals, as the junior will have another year of NCAA eligibility. Leonard’s mindset shift is focused on becoming healthy again and getting to start a new season.
“First things first, I need to focus on getting back to wrestling shape, so that’s going to be a little journey,” Leonard said. “And then, obviously, to make nationals. I want to be an All-American, and then the ultimate goal is to be a national champ. I’ve got to get my knee right. I’m probably a few months out from even stepping on the mat at this point. Once I get back there, then get back on the mat, get my conditioning back, you know, and we’ll see where I’m at.”
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics