DiGiacomo is hungry to win a state championship as he moves up to the 113 pound weight class in 2017–18.
Timber Creek Regional High School wrestler Nick DiGiacomo made huge strides as a sophomore in 2017 when he advanced to NJSIAA state championships in the 106-pound weight class and won a match in the first round of the tournament.
However, simply advancing to states isn’t enough for DiGiacomo.
“I was disappointed at the end of last season,” DiGiacomo said. “I really thought I could make it onto that podium.”
DiGiacomo entered the 2017–18 season extra motivated to be the best wrestler in the state. This year, he will try to finish on top in a new weight class. DiGiacomo will be wrestling at 113 pounds this season after competing at 106 pounds the last two years.
“It’s more of a big adjustment for me,” DiGiacomo said. “I have to eat a lot healthier and make sure I’m always on weight and that I’m not cutting too much.”
DiGiacomo has been able to focus more on conditioning and training this offseason after making positive strides in improving his technique last year. DiGiacomo finished last season with more than 30 wins and won the District 31 tournament, pinning Felix Torres of Absegami Regional High School in the finals.
“I improved a lot on top last year,” DiGiacomo said. “I was able to ride most of my kids out. I was definitely a lot more conditioned than I was the year before.”
This year, DiGiacomo said he is working on perfecting his skills even more. He credited his teammate, junior Kameron Jenkins, with helping him in a few areas during the preseason.
“I’m definitely improving my feet more and getting on bottom,” DiGiacomo said. “I lost a couple of close matches last year where I couldn’t get on bottom, but I’m fixing that.”
DiGiacomo also spent more time in the weight room this past summer than he had previously, knowing he would need to get stronger wrestling against slightly bigger opponents this year.
“I’ve been going non-stop every day, practicing,” DiGiacomo said. “Making sure I’m being aggressive with everything.”
DiGiacomo is also taking on more of a leadership role this season, with Timber Creek bringing in a number of new freshmen this season. DiGiacomo emphasized the importance of building a strong program and feels the Chargers have a good chance to win a lot of matches this year.
“I’m just making sure they’re getting their technique down and making sure they’re working hard,” DiGiacomo said of the younger wrestlers. “We want to go and win the conference title this year and get better as a team.”
DiGiacomo said he was frustrated with the way he performed at states last year. After defeating Phillipsburg High School’s Cullen Day in the first round of states, DiGiacomo lost a tight match against Hunter Gutierrez of Lacey High School, 3–2. DiGiacomo then struggled in his wrestleback match, as he was pinned by Collingswood High School’s Andrew Clark.
This season, DiGiacomo’s expectations are sky high. He believes he is capable of being the best wrestler in his weight class in the state and is determined to prove it this season.
“I want to win that state title,” he said. “I want to get on top of the podium. It’s my goal every year.”
