Scarlet Spotlight on Matt Pletcher
Feb 13 | Wrestling
By Brian Johnson
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - When Rutgers 165-pound wrestler Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.) approaches the mat, the hard rock music of Hatebreed is usually blasting over the loudspeaker. The Scarlet Knights junior says it's a perfect song to keep his adrenaline pumping before a big match. This is the part of Pletcher's personality that Rutgers first-year assistant coach John Leonardis loves.
"I never have to motivate Pletcher," Leonardis said. "I never have to tell him to get up for something. If anything I have to tell him to relax and remind him that the sun will rise tomorrow no matter the outcome. Some guys you have to motivate, and that's why we're trying to find guys like Matt who love this sport and try to commit themselves to wrestling."
Pletcher is in the middle of a breakout year, currently 24-5, after finishing his sophomore year at 11-11. He credits his improvement to the motivation he receives from first-year head coach Scott Goodale and the coaching staff.
"Goodale, Leonardis and [assistant coach Frank Edgar], they bring out the hunger in you," Pletcher said. "They make you want to win, make you want to wrestle and want to train. They make you want to be great."
The junior went on a seven bout winning streak earlier this season, and that doesn't happen by accident. Leonardis said there have been days when Pletcher calls the coaching staff at 6:00 a.m. to ask what else he can do to get better.
Pletcher can also often be found in the wrestling gym around 10:00 a.m. each day trying to get a morning workout in with Goodale and Leonardis. The Eastampton, N.J. native simply likes to keep up the intensity all day long, whether it be an extra workout or heading into the classroom with some extra energy. He said being so wound-up can be a negative trait, but he's learned to turn it into a positive.
"I've had an intense personality since I was a kid," Pletcher said. "There's always a bad side to having that because you can go over the edge, but you have to compete constantly in wrestling whether you're on or off the mat. When I go to class, I want to compete in the classroom and I keep that same attitude in my head. You have to walk around with that mentality all day long so when you come into the gym, even though you're tired and beat up, you're ready to go."
After Goodale's staff took over for former Rutgers head coach John Sacchi in August of 2007, Leonardis said Pletcher's emergence has even given the coaching staff some confidence.
"Transition between coaches is difficult for players," Leonardis said. "I went through it three times in my college career [at Lehigh]. There are a lot of different expectations with each coach. Pletcher always reassures Coach Goodale and me that we're doing a good job."
The feeling is reciprocal. When Pletcher walks into the gym everyday there are posters giving the Scarlet Knights wrestlers motivation to aim to be "EIWA Champions" or "All-Americans." He said the coaches understand the wrestlers and what their goals are.
"Everyone should have one of these posters in their room to remind them that the goal is to go to nationals," Pletcher said. "The coaches want us to strive for perfection. Now, I look at my two years left [including one redshirt year], and I want to be a national champion. I want to go to nationals this year and show what I can do, and I know the other guys on this team want to go too."
Pletcher continues to take positives from this season. With 24 wins on the year, the junior looks back on his last loss against American's Mike Cannon, the No. 7 wrestler in the 165-pound weight class, for reassurance. He was motivated by the 11-1 major decision loss and talked to his father after the bout.
"I told my father 'I'm 10 points from being an All-American,'" Pletcher said. "I know deep down that I want to be great and that makes me want to work, and the coaches make me want to work. People can call [Goodale, Leonardis and Edgar] nuts, but that's what I love about them. They're crazy and they bring it everyday and they make us want to be better wrestlers."
