As the winter sports season begins to wind down, we take a closer look at Muhlenberg’s senior student-athletes. Over the next week or two, the MuhlBox will feature some of the highlights from the traditional senior question and answer profiles from each sport.
We start with wrestling, which wrapped up its season on Saturday at the Centennial Conference Championships, where seniors Kevin Homan and John Sternlicht each placed fourth in their final collegiate tournament.
Kevin Homan
How great did it feel winning two tournaments this season? What were the keys to your solid season?
Winning two tournaments felt great. It’s nice to be having a great season since it’ll be my last with a great team to practice with everyday. Definitely having a new coaching staff and good people to practice with has made a big difference.
What keeps you pushing through all the pain from training and having to make weight?
The fact that this will be my last season of wrestling is my main motivation. I’ve been wrestling since third grade, and I’m going to miss the sport. If there’s one year to give it everything I’ve got, this is it.
What’s the first thing you’re going to eat when the season’s over?
Pizza and wings
What’s the most memorable moment from your Mule career?
Making the conference finals as a sophomore is one of my most memorable moments, but I’ve had several more that are pretty memorable.
What made you decide to become a history major and political science minor?
I was originally in the teaching program and planned on becoming a high school history teacher but decided to change my path later in college. Since I only had a few more classes to complete the history major, I kept with it and picked a political science minor my senior.
What are your future plans?
After graduating, I plan on going to the police academy and eventually become a cop. It’ll take a while, but it’s something that I look forward to.
What kind of person is John Sternlicht?
John is somewhat of a flamboyant person, I mean he has a tattoo of a rose on his ankle.
John Sternlicht
How frustrating has it been dealing with injuries for a good portion of your career?
It’s extremely frustrating. I’ve dealt with injuries my entire career, and it often seems like I’m stuck in an endless pattern of injury, recovery, rebuilding, training and right back to another injury.
What’s the first thing you’re going to eat when the season’s over?
I actually don’t cut any weight at all. I wrestled at 157 and 165 last year and was up to 184 this year. I’m actually more likely to eat healthier after the season so I can perfect my “beach bod” in time for the summer.
You once owned the New Jersey record for career pins; how did that feel?
It was pretty cool to hear my name announced in front of about 10,000 fans after breaking the New Jersey state record for career pins. It was broken only a few hours later, but it was certainly a rewarding way to finish out my high school career.
What’s the most memorable moment from your Mule career?
Due to injuries, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to make many good memories on the mat during my career as a Mule. I will likely never forget how much it hurts to rip both shoulders out.
What’s your greatest off-the-mat accomplishment?
I’ve accomplished so many of my goals off the mat that it would be impossible to choose between beating Donkey Kong Country for Super Nintendo in 27 minutes, completing the Cluck-U 911 hot wing challenge, and memorizing all of the 33 words that use a “q” but not a “u” in the Scrabble dictionary. So I guess I’ll just say it was becoming the youngest black belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate history at age 11.
How hard has it been balancing wrestling and school work?
The toughest part about balancing wrestling with my school work has been finding time to do my work. With practice in the middle of the day, it doesn’t make much sense to start my work before practice, because by the time I get into the groove I need to leave. After practice I’m pretty tired and just want to relax. But I’ve survived by pulling plenty of key all-nighters and just powering through. There’s always time to rest later.
What made you decide to major in political science?
I came to school freshman year, like so many students here, expecting to follow the pre-med track. That lasted all of about a month. I didn’t really know what I wanted to study after that, but the 2008 election inspired me to pick up an American government course the following term, and the rest is history (or should I say, political science). I completed all of the requirements for the major three short terms later.
What are your future plans?
I wish I knew for sure, but I’m still exploring my options. The option I like best so far is becoming a multi-millionaire and spending most of my time on my luxury yacht. As soon as I figure out how to make that kind of money, I’ll be set. It’s only a matter of time after that.
What’s Nick Pallotta like off the mat?
There is only one Nick Pallotta. Everybody who knows this Italian stallion knows he’s the life of the party, but the ones that know him best know him as a loyal and generous friend with a heart of gold. Don’t let his intimidating physique fool you; he’s a big teddy bear on the inside. Just ask his girlfriend, Amanda.
Nick Pallotta
How have you been able to rack up so many quick pins?
I have been able to rack up so many pins over my career manly because I hit my bread and butter move in the beginning of the match. It’s a great feeling to get a quick pin because I can save my energy for the next match.
Is it true that all other wrestlers are jealous of heavyweights because they get to eat whatever they want?
Yes, after having to cut to 197 my junior season, I can definitely say that everyone is jealous that I don’t have to worry about making weight anymore.
What was it like taking ballet last year?
Taking ballet was definitely an interesting experience. It was much more difficult than I expected and made me gain a lot respect for all the dance majors.
What’s the most memorable moment from your Mule career?
I would say my most memorable moment during my mule career came my freshman year when we wrestled Johns Hopkins. The match came down to me, and it was great winning the match for the team and tying for the league title.
What made you decide to major in political science?
I decided to major in political science because I plan on going to law school after graduation.
What kind of teammate is Kevin Homan?
Kevin is a great teammate that always brings a positive attitude into the wrestling room despite the many hardships that our team has gone through over the past four years. Kevin is by far the hardest worker I have ever met, and I think that his work ethic is the source of his success.
Only three of the seven fall teams are competing this weekend, as cross country is in between championship meets, men’s soccer is waiting for the announcement of ECAC Tournament bids on Monday, and field hockey’s season is over. But what the weekend may lack in quantity, it makes up for it quality.
