Paul VI's Sciamanna wants to finish strong
Jordan Sciamanna says the best thing about wrestling is the loneliness inside that circle. Sciamanna, a senior at Paul VI High School, says the sport's greatest lesson is personal responsbility.
Jordan Sciamanna says the best thing about wrestling is the loneliness inside that circle.
Sciamanna, a senior at Paul VI High School, says the sport's greatest lesson is personal responsbility.
"You can't blame anybody else," Sciamanna said. "I used to play football, and when something goes wrong in that sport there's 10 other guys who were a part of it.
"It's not like that in wrestling. It's just you out there. You can't look at anybody else."
Sciamanna has embraced the individual challenge of making the most of his senior season. He's a young man on a mission after frustrating finishes to both his sophomore and junior years of competition.
Sciamanna is off to a strong start in his quest to break through and establish himself as one of South Jersey's top wrestlers.
Competing mostly at 170 pounds, Sciamanna had compiled a 10-1 record through Monday night. He had five falls and a forfeit among his victories.
Sciamanna's only loss was by 7-4 to Cherry Hill West's Manny Morales at a holiday tournament at Haddon Township. On Monday, Sciamanna defeated Morales, 9-8, in a dual meet.
"He pushed through a tough, physical match and got the win," Paul VI coach Rich Venuto said of Sciamanna's victory over Morales.
Venuto says Sciamanna is "very, very talented" and among the most technically advanced wrestlers in South Jersey.
"Technically, he's one of the best wrestlers I've ever been around," Venuto said. "He's very good on his feet."
Despite his natural ability and experience gained from competing in the sport since the age of 7, Sciamanna has yet to make an impact in the individual state tournament.
He was third in District 28 at 160 pounds last season, dropping his first bout at Region 7. He didn't place in District 28 as a 145-pound sophomore.
"He has been in some really tough weight classes in the district," Venuto said. "He's a top wrestler. He's had some tough matchups.
"He's good enough to win the district title, good enough to win the region title. He just has to show he can do it this year."
Sciamanna, who lives in Logan Township, Gloucester County, hopes to wrestle in college. He's a top student who is considering schools such as Bucknell and York (Pa.), with an eye toward studying computer science.
Venuto said Sciamanna is at his best when he's engaged with some of the younger and less experienced wrestlers in the Paul VI room.
"That's a big focus for me, helping to prepare the underclassmen," Sciamanna said.
Sciamanna likes that wrestling is both a team and individual sport. He's proud that Paul VI has been a competitive squad this season, as evidenced by Monday's hard-fought 36-30 loss to Cherry Hill West.
But Sciamanna also knows there's no teamwork when he steps inside the circle. He's on his own, and he likes it that way.
"I'm hard on myself because I know I can't blame anybody but myself," Sciamanna said. "I know this season is on me. I'm focused on making sure I'm fully prepared to do my best every time I go on the mat.
"My No. 1 focus is that this is my season year, and I want to go out with a bang."
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