Cooper Pontelandolfo is gearing up for an exciting weekend as he competes for his fourth All-American title at the NCAA Division III wrestling championships this weekend, which will take place at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI. The 23-year-old from Marlton, NJ enters the tournament driven by the desire to win, but also a commitment to learn from past mistakes and use them as stepping stones for future success. Each year leading up to this moment, Pontelandolfo has earned a spot at the national championships — but he’s not content with simply qualifying for the tournament.
“I want more, and I’m focused on getting better and better from here,” said Pontelandolfo.
Standing at 5 feet, 11 inches tall, Pontelandolfo competes in the 157-pound weight class. His victory at the NCAA regional championships two weeks ago in Mechanicsburg, PA, secured him a spot at national championships after his win against Jason Rezac of Alvernia University by major decision.
During the 2023-24 season, Pontelandolfo finished with a 34-3 record and earned NCAA All-American recognition, culminating in a 3rd-place finish at national championships. He was named the NCAA Northeast Regional Champion and won the New York State Collegiate Championship, in addition to being named UAA Champion, Most Outstanding Wrestler and Wrestler of the Year.
Additionally, Pontelandolfo took first place at the Racich Rumble and earned UAA Athlete of the Week honors three times last season. He posted 14 technical falls and seven major decisions throughout the season in addition to being recognized as a Scholar All-American for the National Wrestling Coaches Association. He was also UAA Winter All-Academic honoree and was named in the Presidents Council Scholar-Athlete Team.
“Though I got third [place] last year, my goal was to be a national champion,” Pontelandolfo said. “Even in the disappointment of that, I’ve taken a step back to realize that is an accomplishment in itself.”
Pontelandolfo’s wrestling journey began at the age of four at the Marlton Recreation Council. He wasn’t a natural at first but his interest grew after winning a few matches.
“My dad found a nearby club where all the best wrestlers trained and sent me there,” he said.
At the club, Pontelandolfo added extra practices each week, and although the intensity was tough, he credits his coach for helping him push through. “I would cry at practice because I kept losing, but my coach always reminded me that losing is how you get better,” he said. After a few years of training, Pontelandolfo became one of New Jersey’s top-ranked wrestlers. “That’s when I really started to believe maybe I do have a natural talent for this,” he added.
He appreciates how involved his family has been, being just as dedicated to the sport as he is. Beyond his parents’ financial support, Pontelandolfo values his parents’ presence throughout his career.
“Since I was four years old, they have never missed a meet,” Pontelandolfo said.
Pontelandolfo’s talent caught the eye of Bruce Haberli, head wrestling coach at NYU since 1995. Haberli immediately recognized Pontelandolfo’s unique style and approach after watching his videos. “It was a no-brainer,” Haberli said. The coach was looking for focused and driven wrestlers, and Pontelandolfo fit that mold perfectly.
“Cooper will put in extra time for cardio workouts without making a big deal about it,” Haberli said. “He doesn’t need to talk about it because everyone sees the effort.”
Heading into this weekend’s competition, Pontelandolfo is focused and prepared. “I’m just trying to focus on treating it like it’s just another match,” he explained. The wrestler relies on a consistent routine before matches to help him handle pressure.
Pontelandolfo is also a team captain and first-year James Carlock admires his work ethic. “He definitely is a lead-by-example captain,” Carlock said. “As a wrestler, it’s something that everyone wants to emulate.” Carlock explained that Pontelandolfo’s pace and nonstop movement during matches are a result of the work he puts in both in and out of the practice room.
As he prepares for the upcoming weekend, Pontelandolfo is ready to leave it all on the mat. With the support of his teammates and coaches as well as his own dedication, he’s bringing his best to the NCAA D-III Wrestling Championships this Friday and Saturday.
Contact Luciana Vun at [email protected].