To those close to him, freshman Matthew DeAngelo’s state championship victory is no surprise; his absurd dedication and insane attention to detail on a daily basis has finally paid off, and he’s only a quarter into his already-illustrious high school career.
It’s not just Matt’s strengths or technique on the mat that led him to a 49-4 record, dominating the 120 pound weight class, it’s his daily routine. He emphasizes nutrition, fitness and discipline, which helps him stand out.
“I usually wake up every day at 4:20 a.m., make my nutritious lunch with some healthy snacks, and then go to the gym at around 5 a.m. I go through a weight workout, maybe pushing the sled, doing some cardio or some stretching at the end, and then I go to school,” Matt said.
After he finishes school, Matt proceeds with school practice, and possibly another practice for his club team. Finally, he prioritizes a nutritious dinner, does some homework and gets to sleep around 8:30 p.m.
The food Matt consumes and how he recovers after a long day are huge priorities to him, and he completely refuses to eat anything that will derail his progress or is not optimal.
“I always try to look for [food] that has really good ingredients, avoiding bad additives. I try to get the right amount of macro nutrients, fueling myself with a good balance of proteins, carbs and fiber,” Matt said. “I don’t eat candy, and I don’t drink soda as those are filled with additives and processed sugars, which are some of the worst things you can put into your body.”
Matt is a humble person as well, and he does not like to brag about his accomplishments. While he emphasizes his routine and what led him to positive results off the mat, his teammates are not afraid to praise his technique and dedication while actually wrestling.
“Matt always drills with purpose and holds himself and others to standards that make everyone in the room better,” junior wrestler Jerikho Rey Daquioag said. “The best part of his game is his mat awareness. He understands positioning very well, and always makes the best move in tough situations.”
Matt is also a vocal leader throughout the school, serving as a freshman captain for the team and also intending to run for President of the Class of 2029 in the spring.
“His one-of-a-kind ability to listen not only to the coaches but to everyone, and his dedication overall made him a great leader this year,” junior wrestler Tulga Rentsendorj said. “For the Class of 2029, victory seems to be well within his grasp if he chooses to run.”
Matt intends to earn four state championships throughout high school and one day wrestle for a Division One college, specifically nationally-ranked Virginia Tech.
“I know that if Matt continues with his current work ethic and mindset, he has the ability to take wrestling as far as he chooses,” Jerikho said.
