University of North Carolina Athletics
Q&A: Mike Rappo
February 11, 2009 | Wrestling
Feb. 11, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Mike Rappo, a redshirt sophomore from Holland, Pa., moved down from 141 pounds to 133 this season and has been incredibly successful at the new weight. Although he is still adjusting, Rappo has won eight dual matches and hopes to continue his success the rest of the season. Rappo and the Tar Heel wrestlers will be back in action at home on Saturday when they battle No. 4 Nebraska.
TarHeelBlue.com: Why did you move down to 133 pounds this season?
Mike Rappo: There were a few reasons why I decided to go down this year. One reason was simply that our team is extremely tough in the lower weights with Vincent (Ramirez) and Nick (Stabile) both being ranked nationally and wrestling very well this year. Knowing how good they are and after redshirting last year, I didn't want to sit out another year. I decided to drop down because I knew it was the best option for my teammates and the best way for me to start. I think it really says a lot about how tough our team is getting when we have so many ranked wrestlers and some of us need to move to other weight classes.
THB.com: Are there any notable differences at 133 pounds?
MR: There are some differences being at 133, and the biggest one I have noticed is everyone is so much shorter than me. I have a big problem with staying low and in my stance and I have even lost a few matches because of that. Losing a good amount of weight has a huge impact on each match. I try to hydrate before I wrestle each match. I try to focus on staying healthy and maintaining my stamina throughout the entire match because cutting weight takes a toll on your body, but its just part of the sport.
THB.com: What's the best advice you've ever received and who gave it to you?
MR: "Wrestle like you're the best and you will succeed." My high school coach, Coach Sil, used to say this to me, and it really stuck with me.
THB.com: You're 8-2 in duals this season. What are the keys to your success?
MR: Success in this sport comes from having a positive attitude throughout the season. I try to maintain my weight properly throughout the season so I can use practice time to focus on correcting my mistakes and learning, rather than worrying about losing so much weight in time for a match. Being able to overcome challenges will make or break you and it's important to keep a positive attitude. I think I have done a good job of dealing with some problems that I have come across so far.
THB.com: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
MR: My goals are pretty simple and are the same for every wrestler. I want to be on the nationals podium come March.
THB.com: What do you like to do for fun?
MR: Watching TV, relaxing and eating food.
THB.com: What is the best thing about UNC wrestling?
MR: The best thing about wrestling here is seeing the success our program is having. We weren't known as being a top wrestling program in previous years, and it is awesome to see how the group of kids on the team now are turning things around and making a name for ourselves.
THB.com: What athlete did you most admire growing up?
MR: Brian Dawkins of the Philadelphia Eagles. I admire him because he fears no one. I would love to have half of the mentality he has.
THB.com: Do you prefer to wrestle at the beginning of a dual match or towards the end? Does it impact you?
MR: I like to wrestle in the beginning of the match and get it over with as soon as possible. If everything goes as planned I win my match and get some points for the team and motivate the rest of them. I have always been a small kid and wrestled early in matches so I am just used to it. I like to think it doesn't impact me too much, but sometimes when I wrestle later in the dual I think about my match and psych myself out.
THB.com: Where is your favorite place to eat in Chapel Hill?
MR: It used to be Applebee's until they closed, but pretty much where ever I can get my hands on some buffalo wings. I love me some wings.
THB.com: What is the team doing to prepare for the ACC Championships?
MR: We aren't doing anything special or different as a team in preparing for the ACCs. We take each match one at a time and try to keep team and individuals in the best shape we can. I think its better not to look at ACCs as something to stress about, and instead just go out and just wrestle hard.
Players Mentioned
