Dan is a phenomenal athlete, friend, and coworker of mine. I felt it only necessary to write this article about him as he will be graduating from the University of Scranton this year. Read on to find out more about his career, past, future plans and some additional surprises.
What’s your year/major?
Senior Electrical Engineering Major.
Hometown?
ALLENTOWN, PA BABY!
What’s your favorite thing about Scranton?
The friends I’ve made here, without a doubt.
How long have you wrestled for?
8 years
Favorite wrestling career moment?
Beating Wilkes last year. That was the first time in 20 years we did that. And of course qualifying for Nationals.
Tell me about your recent tournament experience.
The National Tournament was an incredible experience. It was hard not to get overwhelmed. There were 6 mats in a big convention center down in Roanoke VA. Commentators for every match, and all the wrestlers warmed up in the basement where they waited to be called up to the arena. I was seeded 12th, and ended up going 1-2 losing to the guys who took 3rd and 5th in the nation, and beating a guy who was ranked ahead of me. It was disappointing not being able to call myself an all-American, but breaking the school single season wins record was definitely an accomplishment, and I really have no regrets. Just being a part of such an official tournament, with the best wrestlers in the nation, was humbling and inspiring at the same time.
What are your future plans/Do you want to continue with wrestling in any way?
Professionally I will begin my career with PPL as a field engineer in June. I plan on going back to get my masters eventually, and when I do, I will go back full time. Of course, that’s not going to happen till I have some money in the bank (haha). With respect to wrestling, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being involved in this sport, I plan to help coach here at the U as an assistant next year, and hopefully one day I can coach my own team. I may also compete in some open tournaments from time to time. I don’t know if I’m ready to hang the boots up just yet ?
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from wrestling?
Persistence and accountability. Persistence because more often than not, things don’t go your way in wrestling. You get hurt, you lose a match, someone close to you doesn’t appreciate the effort you’re putting into the sport. During times like that you have to be able to just move forward, no matter how slow and how painful if you want to be the best wrestler you can be, the motion has to be forward.
BONUS Q&A:
Did you lose your virginity from wrestling?
No, I lost my virginity when I was a less than decent wrestler my senior year of high school, I think it was my exceptionally attractive good looks that got me laid the first time.
Do you enjoy interacting with sweaty men?
Absolutely, if I could have it my way all men would walk around sweaty in singlets all day.