BVR Athletics Report: February 13

Grade: 12

What does being a captain mean to you?
It means being a role model for hard work and humility on your team.

What is your favorite moment from this season?
We had a team dinner at the end of the season, and I don’t think we stopped laughing once during the 3 hours. It was a great way to cap off a great season.

Describe a moment you exemplified leadership this season
Getting new wrestlers is always a challenge, but the other captains and I got some more kids to join, and it really improved our team culture. We presented in front of the school, and tried to introduce more people to wrestling.

How do you elevate the team’s culture?
Wrestling is a very physically demanding sport, so the captains made it a goal to be as conditioned as we can and to set the example for hard work during practice.

What advice would you give to a future Beaver captain?
As much as you’re a leader on the team, you’re also a member of the team. Being captain doesn’t elevate you above any member of the team.

What do you want people to know about Beaver wrestling?
You should wrestle because it’s hard. It’s the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever done, and as much as there are practices where I just want to quit, I come out of every practice with a smile, because I know I’ve pushed myself to do something difficult. It helps to build not only physical strength, but mental strength as well. I know it’s not the most popular sport at Beaver, but that’s only because people haven’t given it a chance.

Favorite hype song:
Entombed by Deftones

Favorite team tradition:
We have a week of jiu-jitsu at the end of the season every year.

If your team had a mascot besides the beaver, what would it be?
Conor McKinley

Zombie apocalypse: who from your team is in charge? And why?
Coach Matt. He’s an interesting dude, but I’d trust him with my life.

Grade: 12

What does being a captain mean to you?
It means leading others and making the team an environment I and they want to be in.

What is your favorite moment from this season?
When Conor did not want to wrestle, but did and won, despite his opponent being bigger than him.

Describe a moment you exemplified leadership this season
When Nic won and was celebrating a little too hard, and I both complimented him on the win but calmed him down a little bit.

How do you elevate the team’s culture?
By making sure everyone was included.

What advice would you give to a future Beaver captain?
You were selected for a reason so don’t overthink it.

What do you want people to know about Beaver wrestling?
It is a true community of people working the hardest, and doing the hardest sport in the school. We are incredibly welcoming to newcomers, and you don’t have to wear a singlet or cut weight.

Favorite hype song:
I listen to Italian opera sometimes to keep my mind straight

Favorite Team Tradition:
We always have music playing.

If your team had a mascot besides the beaver, what would it be?
Nic Vigreaux because he is a great model of a wrestler.

Zombie apocalypse: who from your team is in charge? And why?
I think myself because I am an Eagle Scout.

Grade: 12

What does being a captain mean to you?
It means being a leader and representing the team and school.

What is your favorite moment from this season?
Going to the EIL Tournament

Describe a moment you exemplified leadership this season
Hyping up my teammates before they go into a match

How do you elevate the team’s culture?
Leading warmups and helping with mentality/hyping up players.

What advice would you give to a future Beaver captain?
Hold yourself to your highest standard because you set the tone for the rest of the team

What do you want people to know about Beaver wrestling?
As someone who has played soccer, golf, basketball, and wrestling, it’s a sport for mentally tough people and it will teach you so much more than any other sport.

Favorite hype song:
Hot by Gunna and Travis Scott

Favorite Team Tradition:
Warm ups

Zombie apocalypse: who from your team is in charge? And why?
Ethan/Connor I think they both have valuable insight and high IQ and EQ.

How long have you been coaching basketball?
I have been coaching basketball since 2013. 13-year grind.

Do you coach outside of Beaver?
Yes I do. I own my own basketball training company and I coach AAU for the Middlesex Magic.

How’s the Beaver season going?
It has been an amazing experience. We are 13-4 right now. The Beaver community has been so super supportive of the team. We are excited to hopefully make some noise the rest of the way.

What is your favorite thing about working at Beaver?
The community aspect. Everyone at Beaver is welcoming and accepting. Everyday I walk into the gym or the Athletic Center, there are so many kids hanging out and enjoying time together. It’s such a unique high school experience and I have been at a variety of schools in my 13 years coaching.

What is your coaching philosophy?
I am all about team culture. When you love your teammates you love being in the gym. The winning piggybacks organically off of that. Teams that believe in each other will almost always pull through when things get tough.

How do you support athletes off the court?
I have helped and aided in the college recruitment process for so many of the kids I have coached. It is a big part of what we do with the Middlesex Magic. I plan to use those tools and connections to help my players at Beaver Country Day with the same thing.

What’s the best advice you give your athletes?
Try to be the best version of yourself.

Game-day superstition?
I typically try and hit the gym at some point before a game. Not a superstition but I think it relaxes me more for the game.

If you could be a lion or a panda, what would you be? And why?
Panda all day. I am agreeing with Ted Lasso.

Favorite sandwich?
#7 at Jersey Mike’s (Turkey and Provolone)

Current TV Binge:
Pluribus

Favorite Basketball Sneakers:
Jordan 1’s or 4’s. Classics.