In looking at a college wrestler, it's all too easy to get wrapped up in won-loss records, pinning percentages and other by-the-numbers stuff... and overlook the other aspects that make an athlete's story all the more compelling.
Take Dan Vallimont, for example.
College wrestling fans know Vallimont as a Penn State redshirt senior who, despite being seeded sixth in the 165-pound bracket, made it to the finals of the 2010 NCAA Division I Championships... losing to Wisconsin's top-seeded Andrew Howe, 9-3, in the title bout.
In a recent column for the StateCollege.com website, Joe Bastardi -- meteorologist and former college wrestler himself -- provided a more detailed portrait of Vallimont. Here's how Bastardi put the Penn State finalist's mat achievements in perspective:
Now let me say this: Dan Vallimont placing as the runner-up in nationals is a huge accomplishment. Dan Vallimont, placing as the runner-up in the nationals and majoring in architectural engineering to me is about as extreme an accomplishment as I have seen around here in a long time.
Vallimont achieved much at the 2010 NCAAs, exceeding expectations by knocking off the defending champ Jarrod King of Edinboro in the semifinals... then finishing his college mat career as an NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA All-American. From Bastardi's profile, it's easy to see how hard work has made Vallimont a winner on and off the mat.
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Resources
Joe Bastardi's column for StateCollege.com: Dan Vallimont, Beyond the Obvious
Dan Vallimont: Penn State official bio... audio interview with TDR's Scott Casber for InterMat
College Wrestling 101: Links to articles answering basic questions about wrestling, including rules, scoring, uniforms, more
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