When incoming students arrive for orientation at Virginia, it is easy for future Cavaliers to picture themselves studying on Grounds, walking to class and fitting into the environment. But it is harder for athletes whose first experiences as Virginia students are strenuous workouts and worries about how they will balance their training with studies. Even with this stress, freshman wrestler Michael Battista maintains his confidence by envisioning his daily successes as a Cavalier.
While growing up in Ashburn, Va., Battista was always wrestling with his brother for fun. So when he began fifth grade, his father encouraged him to join a wrestling league and enter his first match.
Although Battista was confident on the mat as he continued on to compete for Broad Run High School, he did not get serious about wrestling until after freshman year, when a loss at regionals incited him to fully commit to the sport. Battista began to train hard, and he won the Virginia High School League 5A/6A State Championship for the 160 weight class his sophomore year. He took the title again for the 170 class his senior year, when he also placed second at the National High School Coaches Association competition and won several semi-national tournaments.
Through wrestling camps and several visits, Battista got to know Virginia coach Steve Garland, who offered him a position on the Cavalier wrestling team earlier this calendar year.
“When he came to our camp, that’s when I really got to speak to him directly, teach him directly, work with him directly, talk to him and get to know him as a person,” Garland said. “I really, really liked him because I got to see his work ethic firsthand.”
Battista does not like to look back at the past, though. After arriving in Charlottesville in July for training, he realized that his career at Virginia will be a new beginning for his wrestling.
“No one cares what you did in high school,” Battista said. “Everyone is just trying to improve a little more every day they walk in the room.”
The wrestlers practice five times per week and do more lifting and conditioning on their own. Battista is working with Garland and coaches Travis and Trent Paulson on his technique, and he also looks to older teammates for help on certain moves.
“It’s just a really great coaching staff we’ve got here,” Battista said. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
With his skills improving during each practice, Battista will likely be ready to compete during the upcoming season. The decision not to redshirt would be a good one for Battista, whose work ethic and ability to visualize his goals will allow him to contribute to the team and grow as a wrestler.
“He’s got the intangibles to take the win at the next level,” Garland said.
Off the mat, Battista used his time during summer training to prepare for the fall semester by taking a philosophy course. Because he was living in a dorm, wrestling and doing work for class, Battista adjusted to what life will be like at Virginia. The coaches’ strategy of organizing “optionally mandatory” summer practices also gave the wrestlers an opportunity to develop their own initiative and drive, which will help them adapt to academic as well as athletic life.
“Every day when I hear the weights clanging in the wrestling room, I look in through the window and I see him down there lifting by himself,” Garland said. “For me, that’s what it takes. Anybody can do what they’re told. It takes a true lover of learning to be in there when nobody’s looking.”
Battista is committed to his academic goals as well. Although unsure of his specific major, he knows that he wants to pursue an education in the medical field. Despite the difficult classes and upcoming wrestling season, Battista is not concerned about managing his schedule during the fall semester.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be like yet exactly, but I definitely have a better taste now that I’m here,” Battista said. “Plus, I can say that I can already envision my schedule and what I’m doing, how I’m going to be doing my classes. It’s going to be good.”
Envisioning balance will be the key to Battista’s success as a Virginia student-athlete. It gives him the ability to move forward without anxiety. Because of wrestling, Battista is already working hard and learning how to meet his goals as a Cavalier. The summer training has not only helped his technique, but it has also given him a chance to practice balancing his life at the University.
“Even though it’s going to be much harder [than high school],” Battista said, “I’m going to love it much more.”
Battista and the rest of the Virginia wrestling team will look to have another strong season this upcoming winter and continue to grow as a program.
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