Spotlight Q&A: Alec Pantaleo
1/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 29, 2015
• U-M to Welcome Four-Time Defending NCAA Champ PSU Friday
University of Michigan wrestling freshman Alec Pantaleo has turned some heads in his first collegiate season. After starting the year largely unknown, Pantaleo has surged in the national 149-pound rankings, climbing to ninth in the latest InterMat poll after taking second place at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 5-6) and opening the Big Ten dual season with a 5-0 mark.
A native of Canton, Michigan, Pantaleo captured a Michigan state title as a high school sophomore before losing his junior season to injury and taking runner-up honors as senior. He did not compete in national freestyle or Greco-Roman tournament until last summer when he knocked off more than one ranked prospects in an impressive Junior Duals appearance. He is the second Pantaleo to don the Maize and Blue; his uncle, Joe, was a two-time NCAA finalist from 1986-89.
As the Wolverines prepare for a marquee dual Friday (Jan. 30) against four-time defending NCAA champion Penn State, Alec took some time before practice to talk about his season, his non-flashy wrestling style and turning some heads with his early success.
Q: Do you feel like you're on a roll right now?
A: I'm trying to just take it one match at time, not looking ahead and not looking behind. I'm going into every match knowing that I can win and knowing that I've been working hard. I'm really trying to just stay there in the moment.
Q: Poor word choice, but are you surprised by the success you are having? What were your expectations coming into this season?
A: Coming into U-M, I knew that I had put in a lot of work over the summer. I wasn't sure where I stood. But after my first tournament, winning the Michigan State Open, I knew I was right there. I used that and kept getting better. I kept reminding myself that I'm as good as anybody else I'm going to wrestle, whether I'm a freshman or not. I wouldn't say that expected this, but I also wouldn't say I'm surprised by it.
Q: Saying that, did you still have that same confidence after opening the dual season with two losses -- albeit to two top-10 opponents?
A: I feel like if I wrestle that first one again, I'd beat him. That was a bit of a low point, but from a low, you can only go up. I knew right after those matches that I was still right with those guys, and at the time, they were both top 10 in the nation. Now two months later, I'm right on that edge. I was a little demotivated for a couple days after that, but then I got right back to it again.
Q: How would you describe your style? We're hearing a lot of comparisons to (NCAA champion) Steve Luke. His style was pretty basic, always in good position.
A: I'm not a very flashy wrestler. I stick to solid stuff. I know how to pace myself in a match. If I know that I need to score points, I can get the guy moving. If I know that I need to stay in position, I can do that too. It all depends on the match I'm in; I tend to rise to the occasion. I don't think anybody should be taking me down. I've always been told that my legs are gold. You can't let anyone get your gold. I always make sure if someone does get on my legs, I'm going to do my best to get them back.
Q: What are the things you want to -- and need to -- continue working on?
A: I want to be the best guy in the nation on my feet. With that said, I need to keep working on bottom. I can be pretty explosive on bottom when I want to be, but it's a matter of consistently being like that. That comes with repetition. I'll keep working on that. On top, I can ride, but I need to starting implementing turns. Coaches are really having me work getting riding time. Instead of springing them right away, ride them for a few seconds, then let them up and do it again. That eventually adds up.
Q: Are you enjoying being in the lineup this year? Do you think your teammates are excited about your success?
A: I'm having a blast. I love college wrestling. I've never been on a team where everyone was on the same mission I was on. Now that I am, my motivation is at an all-time high. I want to keep getting better and better. I love going to practice. Everyone is really accepting here. I don't think my teammates look at me as a freshman; I think they look at me as just another wrestler.
Q: You have a strong family background in wrestling; your dad wrestled collegiately, your uncle wrestled at Michigan. Have you felt a lot of support from them?
A: I've had family from both my mom and dad's side at every home dual we've had, even at the wrestle-offs. I'm getting great family support, and it's awesome. It seems like it's really bringing the different side of my family together, and they're all supporting me. My uncle, Joe, has really taken me under his wing. I talk with him just about every day.
Q: You were not a widely known recruit coming out of high school. Are you enjoying that you're turning some heads?
A: Back in high school, I trained throughout the offseason, but I didn't do a lot of national tournaments. But I still had the confidence that I was right there with anybody; it was just a matter of proving it to everyone else. Now that I'm at a Big Ten school, I'm in that position. I'm making small ripples that will hopefully turn into larger waves.
• Previous Q&A: Rossi Bruno
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