For some, representing your entire school in one sport could be quite intimidating and cause great mental and physical trepidation. Yet Chris Manganiello is not like most student-athletes because the solo spotlight just ignited his fierce fire to succeed even more.

The North Branford junior 126-pound wrestler, who competed as a Team of One for the Thunderbirds this past winter and traveled with the East Haven squad during meets and tournaments, started wrestling at the age of 6. After wrestling for Xavier, Chris transferred to North Branford this year.

Chris began to train with the Yellowjackets’ team about two weeks into the season. Due to CIAC transfer rules, he was not able to wrestle matches until mid-January of 2023. Still, he made the most of his time, as Chris finished the regular season with a record of 17-0. He went on to finish third at the Class S State Championships and with an overall record of 25-3 on the campaign.

“Wrestling was a sport that always appealed to me; it is a tricky sport because you cannot be naturally good at it, and you have to put in the time,” says Chris. “I also love the 1-on-1 competitive nature of it. Being independent and being my own team made me want to succeed. It is completely on you, and every day, I practiced with the mentality to get better.”

Within his states bracket, Chris avenged his only loss in the tournament by beating his opponent 9-0 in the consolation finals. Chris reflected that it was mind over matter when it came to counteracting any anxieties whilst performing in a setting where stakes are high.

“The big stage does not affect me,” Chris says. “I just focus on my match and block out any and all other distractions. I wanted to be myself and go far independently since I was my own team, and those feelings pushed me the entire way.”

Being a solo act for the T-Birds can create some technicalities to the point where Chris could have a meet-off while the Yellowjackets battle the rest of the opposing squad. Conversely, one aspect of his wrestling life that has certainly been very hospitable has been the East Haven team and Head Coach Mark Tolla.

“Because I wrestle as a Team of One, other teams can refuse to wrestle me, which can be an issue,” says Chris. “So when it comes to matches that I do have, every match I have to win because my record is the team’s record. If I lose, then the team loses. Coach Tolla brought me in, and the whole team really accepted me. It is a great environment to get better in while still having fun.”

Tolla adds that Chris brings a blend and balance when it comes to his physical attributes on the mat. He goes on to detail that his diligence has paid massive dividends for both Chris himself and his entire home away from home at East Haven.

“Chris has a tremendous mixture of athleticism and strength. We feel very fortunate to have had him in our room because he helped everyone around his weight to improve dramatically,” says Tolla. “His technical ability and vast background in the sport have enabled him to compete at the highest level against some of the best kids in the state of Connecticut. His work ethic in practice set an excellent standard for others to emulate. We look forward to working with him again during his senior season.”

As he additionally strives to do his best when it comes to grappling the books, Chris never staves off his thoughts and desires within wrestling–eating, breathing, living, and sleeping the sport 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

“I want to work on my academics, too, going forward,” says Chris. “I have seen improvements mainly in my mentality as a wrestler. I am constantly in a mindset of wrestling. I am always thinking about wrestling 100 percent of the time. I am always thinking about my next match.”

Through the grueling grind of wrestling, Chris has garnered a great deal about durability in mind, body, and spirit while traversing a canvas that can deal some unfavorable hands and lead to one questioning their abilities and efforts. He concludes by stating that no matter any doubts that may creep into one’s head, they must pin it down with a steady diet of perseverance.

“It is a hard sport. In my opinion, wrestling is the most physically and mentally challenging sport,” Chris says. “It has taught me that you have to be tough all the time and keep persevering. It can break you down at times, but you just have to keep working at it and try your best.”