Mechanics Bank Cal Poly Student-Athlete of the Week: Ethan Rotondo
2/20/2023 6:30:00 PM | Wrestling
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Three weeks ago, Ethan Rotondo had a 5-11 record in his first and only year with the Cal Poly wrestling team.
The transfer from Wisconsin and graduate student pursuing a master's degree in packaging value chain made a few adjustments in the practice room. Those changes have paid off in the form of a four-match winning streak, including two victories against nationally ranked wrestlers last week.
For upsetting the Nos. 17 and 29 wrestlers in the nation at 133 pounds and sparking Cal Poly to dual meet triumphs over Stanford and Oregon State last weekend, Rotondo is the Mechanics Bank Cal Poly Student-Athlete of the Week.
In his sixth year of wrestling -- four competitive seasons plus a redshirt year at Wisconsin and his final campaign this season at Cal Poly -- Rotondo has compiled a 70-49 win-loss record.
"Most student-athletes do not see as much growth in their final year of eligibility, but Ethan has grown tremendously this year," said Mustang head coach Jon Sioredas. "His tireless work ethic has allowed him to flourish in tough situations.
"He has tightened up some things technically and is competing at a very high level," Sioredas added. "He is a remarkable young man and we absolutely love seeing him reap the fruits of his labor."
On the weekend of Feb. 3-5, Rotondo upset No. 21 Chance Rich of CSU Bakersfield in a 3-1 overtime decision and also defeated Joshua Sarpy of Little Rock 7-2.
After a bye week, Cal Poly took a 3-0 Pac-12 dual meet record into matches against Stanford and Oregon State.
On Friday, Rotondo decisioned No. 29 Jackson DiSario 8-2 as Cal Poly beat Stanford 18-15. Two days later, he earned a 6-1 decision against No. 17 Jason Shaner of Oregon State in the Mustangs' 19-15 victory.
"That was the swing to win the dual," Sioredas said of Rotondo's Sunday triumph.
Rotondo was a two-time Washington state champion while competing for Union High School in Vancouver, Wash., compiling a 47-1 record as a senior.
Rotondo will take a 9-11 record into the Pac-12 Championship on March 5 at Stanford.
The transfer from Wisconsin and graduate student pursuing a master's degree in packaging value chain made a few adjustments in the practice room. Those changes have paid off in the form of a four-match winning streak, including two victories against nationally ranked wrestlers last week.
For upsetting the Nos. 17 and 29 wrestlers in the nation at 133 pounds and sparking Cal Poly to dual meet triumphs over Stanford and Oregon State last weekend, Rotondo is the Mechanics Bank Cal Poly Student-Athlete of the Week.
In his sixth year of wrestling -- four competitive seasons plus a redshirt year at Wisconsin and his final campaign this season at Cal Poly -- Rotondo has compiled a 70-49 win-loss record.
"Most student-athletes do not see as much growth in their final year of eligibility, but Ethan has grown tremendously this year," said Mustang head coach Jon Sioredas. "His tireless work ethic has allowed him to flourish in tough situations.
"He has tightened up some things technically and is competing at a very high level," Sioredas added. "He is a remarkable young man and we absolutely love seeing him reap the fruits of his labor."
On the weekend of Feb. 3-5, Rotondo upset No. 21 Chance Rich of CSU Bakersfield in a 3-1 overtime decision and also defeated Joshua Sarpy of Little Rock 7-2.
After a bye week, Cal Poly took a 3-0 Pac-12 dual meet record into matches against Stanford and Oregon State.
On Friday, Rotondo decisioned No. 29 Jackson DiSario 8-2 as Cal Poly beat Stanford 18-15. Two days later, he earned a 6-1 decision against No. 17 Jason Shaner of Oregon State in the Mustangs' 19-15 victory.
"That was the swing to win the dual," Sioredas said of Rotondo's Sunday triumph.
Rotondo was a two-time Washington state champion while competing for Union High School in Vancouver, Wash., compiling a 47-1 record as a senior.
Rotondo will take a 9-11 record into the Pac-12 Championship on March 5 at Stanford.
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