Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Garcia still leading by example

Andrew Cerniglia lost a 4-3 heartbreaker late in the 160-pound final at the 2020 Walsh Jesuit Ironman to St. Edwards (Ohio) stud Padraic Gallagher.

The Notre Dame-Green Pond senior went to the locker room, showered, changed and was back matside to watch two teammates compete in their respective finals.

That left an impression on an impressionable freshman.

“He just lost, and I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ ” Holden Garcia recalled. “That made me think. He wants to see teammates win. It’s not the wins and losses that define you. It’s how you take them and what you do with them.”

That was Cerniglia’s only loss that season on his way to a second consecutive state title before heading to the Naval Academy.

Garcia, now a Princeton-bound senior, is polishing his leadership skills with the Crusaders by recalling the impactful moments by Cerniglia, Brett Ungar and other previous leaders.

“I still use them as examples,” Garcia said. “I still look up to them. I think every day before talking to the guys: ‘What would Andrew say?’ ”

Garcia’s biggest contribution as a leader comes from his work ethic. He does not say much, but when he speaks it resonates with his teammates because of his dedication to the sport, the sacrifices he makes and the process he takes to get better each time he steps on the mat.

“He lives the absolute right lifestyle,” Crusaders coach Matt Veres said. “He’s a great leader. He got to see the level of leader Andrew was and then Ungar.

“The kids really look up to him. Just his actions. Before practice, he mops the mats, cleans up. He works out on his own. You could see the younger guys just follow his lead.”

Garcia pushes his body and mind to the max because of his passion for the sport. He doesn’t have to convince himself to be motivated for the next day’s workout, match or weight room workout.

It’s been that way since elementary school.

“Getting on the mat and having fun,” he said, “at the end of the day, that’s why I wrestle. I love wrestling.”

Garcia is three wins shy of 100 for his career. He also is aiming for a second PIAA title after taking the 160-pound crown last March in Hershey.

But above all else, he would love to lead Notre Dame-GP to its first PIAA team tournament title.

“That means everything,” he said. “The past five years, coach Veres has done great things for the program. Being a captain, I want us to take it to a whole new level.

“We want to be team state champs and individual team state champs. I think we can do both.”

1. Finally, a big gun up top

When Garcia ran up the tunnel at the one end of Hershey’s Giant Center to celebrate his 2-1 victory over top seed Grant Mackay of Laurel in last season’s PIAA Class 2A 160-pound final, fellow junior Aiden Compton was among the first to greet him.

Compton did not compete last season because he was ruled ineligible by the District 11 committee after transferring from Pen Argyl. He couldn’t have wrestled anyway because of a knee injury during football season.

But the 285-pounder was at every practice, dual meet and tournament to support Garcia and the rest of the Crusaders.

“He was the team hype guy,” Garcia said. “He’d slap me in the face a couple times before I’d go on the mat, get me pumped up to wrestle.

“He faced a lot of adversity last year. He was emotional a couple times throughout the year, looking out for his teammates. He’s a team player like that. He’s bringing another aspect to the team this year by competing. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s awesome to have around.”

Compton is among the state’s top 285-pounders when healthy. The two-time state qualifier who committed to Cornell figures to be on podiums in February and March.

“Aiden is one of our captains,” Veres said. “He was there last year for emotional support, cheering guys on. They thrived on that.

“When Garcia won, he was crying because he was so excited for his teammate. He wants to be in that environment. He’s anxious to compete.

“He’s gotten better. He still has a long way to go. If he’s clicking on all cylinders, he can compete for a state title.”

Compton was regional fourth as a sophomore at Pen Argyl, and regional fifth the season before.

2. Lineup

Sophomore Tanner Berkenstock and junior two-time state medalist Ayden Smith will be at 107 and 114. Smith is a bit undersized for 114, but may grow into that as the season progresses. He was third in the state last season at 106.

Sophomore Cooper Feltman was district third and regional sixth despite a losing regular-season record. His grind to reach the state tournament showed that hard work pays off.

“You look at his record and you think that this guy is not very good,” Veres said. “But things clicked at the end of the year for him. He got better on top. He believed in himself. Winning a couple matches at states really helped his confidence. We’re expecting big things out of him.”

Freshman Gavyn Kelton or junior Tanner McQueen will be at 127. One of those two or sophomore Nino Morici will be at 133. Sophomore Vince Bouzakis will be at 139.

Senior Bryson Vaughn, a Southeast Regional thirdplace finisher last season, is at 145. Sophomore Keegan Ramsay, a regional fifthplace medalist, is at 152.

Freshman Dominic Sumpolec or junior Nate Thomas will be at 160. Garcia or junior Joey LaPenna, who was regional fifth as an undersized 189-pounder, will be at 172 or 189.

Senior Jared Blobe, regional fourth a year ago, is at 215. Compton is at 285.

Garrett Tettemer transferred to Delaware Valley (N.J.) after finishing seventh at states last season at 172.