Wrestling is one of the few sports in which there are no substitutions. If you're one of the lucky 10 in the starting lineup, you're on the mat -- if you're not in the lineup, well, it's a whole different story.
For the 10 starters, their weeks are composed of watching everything they eat to ensure they make weight on game day. Going out and socializing is basically out of the question.
For those out of the starting lineup, they may not have access to a Las Vegas buffet, but the intense pressure of counting every calorie is relieved and a night out on the Corner is feasible.
"The biggest difference is watching your weight, not cutting weight," junior Matt Federici said of wrestling one week and being off another.
Game days also display the stark contrast between being in and out of the lineup.
The 10 starters dress in orange Virginia wrestling apparel (for the female crowd, that's a one-piece spandex suit), while the other teammates sport blue polos and khakis. The jobs of the reserves include working the clocks, rolling out the mats, warming up the starters and supporting their teammates.
"We leave technical aspects [of cheering] to the coaches," Federici said.
In a sport such as wrestling in which the mental component is crucial to success, there is a huge difference in the game day attitude as well. Nonstarters can relax and chat with each other, while first-teamers can be seen in intense concentration as they prepare for some of the toughest six minutes their body and mind can handle.
Conversation is rather minimal between starters -- maybe a quick phrase of support is exchanged, but that's about it.
And the superstitions abound -- many date all the way back to high school or youth wrestling days. Whether it's a special meal on the day of meet, a specific routine or a certain pair of socks or clothes, each wrestler has their own personal preparations for their match.
"Everyone has their own routine," Federici said. "You don't mess with that."
According to Federici, senior Mike Grogan wears a high-school basketball shirt cut off as an undershirt to his wrestling suit.
Redshirt sophomore Rocco Caponi always wears a "Green Lantern" shirt when he is warming up. Caponi goes even further in his pre-match routine: The Uniontown, Ohio native wears two different-colored contacts, one light blue and one colorless, to help gain the mental edge over his opponent.
"Anything to psych guys out," Federici explained.
Whatever Caponi is doing, it seems to be working. The 184-pounder recorded a major decision Saturday when he shut out Scott Snyder of UNC-Greensboro, 14-0, propelling the Cavaliers to a 20-15 victory over the Spartans.
After Saturday's home triumph, the wrestling team is 4-5 on the season and has yet to lose in the friendly confines of Memorial Gym.
You can see all the superstitions for yourself Feb. 9 and 10 when the Cavs butt heads with N.C. State and Duke in Charlottesville.
Just don't forget to pick up that lineup card -- for those Cavaliers wrestling on game day, it's a whole other world.
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