By Dante Iafrate
@danteiafrate
After finishing 14th at NCAA Division III Championships last March, and seeing two wrestlers earn All-America honors in 2023, Springfield College wrestling has high hopes for this season. The Pride lost key wrestlers like Joey Manginelli and Chase Parrott to graduation, but return several veterans – including graduate student Gianni Manginelli, junior Jake DeGuire, senior Michael Filieri and sophomore Myles Leonard – all of whom have made their mark on the wrestling mat, as well as some promising newcomers.
“We have some younger guys that are looking good and I’m confident will be making a splash early in the season,” head coach Jason Holder.
Holder, who is entering his 13th season at Springfield, said that his coaching philosophy centers around helping student-athletes achieve their academic and athletic goals. “The student-athletes come into Springfield with academic and athletic goals,” Holder said.“My goal is to help these individuals work toward achieving these goals they have set. This is a process done through encouraging them to utilize the numerous resources that are available to them on campus.”
Regular communication with athletic trainers and strength and conditioning experts is part of the coaching staff’s comprehensive approach to player development.
Manginelli – who is ranked 14th in the nation at 133 pounds in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Coaches Preseason Rankings – remains committed to his leadership role on the team seriously. For Manginelli, leadership means embodying dedication, discipline and a commitment to excellence. He leads by example, emphasizing the importance of consistent hard work during practices and competitions. “My goal is to instill in them the understanding that it’s the small daily changes in our training and habits that can have a profound impact on our performance on the mats,” Manginelli said.
Manginelli’s journey has been one of transformation. He shared that this summer, he shifted his focus from working harder to working smarter. This included “bulletproofing his body” through specific exercises and movements aimed at enhancing his overall physical well-being. This commitment to peak performance reflects his dedication to the sport and his desire to stay injury-free.
When it comes to mental preparation for matches, Manginelli relies on a combination of physical and psychological rituals. “First, I make sure I blow my lungs out with a hard drill and sprints to get that ‘first match feeling,’ out of the way, which helps me shake off any initial nerves and get into the right mindset,” he said. “Before I head out to the mat, I do some light bouncing to get my blood flowing while concentrating on my breathing and positive self-talk. After a quick, hard high-five from Coach Holder, I am ready to get after it.”
Both Holder and Manginelli had words of wisdom for young athletes aspiring to become collegiate athletes. The key takeaway is a strong work ethic, dedication, and maintaining a balance between sports and academics. Academic excellence opens doors and opportunities, while seeking guidance from mentors and experienced athletes can be invaluable. Staying persistent and resilient, and never losing sight of one’s love for the sport, are essential on the road to collegiate athletics.
In a world where sports and academics can sometimes feel like separate paths, Springfield College is proving that they can complement each other. With an unwavering commitment to nurturing both athletic and academic excellence, the Pride wrestling team is set to make a significant impact in the coming season. Coach Holder’s leadership and Gianni Manginelli’s dedication are sure to inspire not only their teammates but also young athletes who are chasing their dreams.
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics