A year ago, Terrapin wrestler Charlie Pinto was a frustrated freshman sitting on the sidelines. Now he’s defeating nationally ranked opponents and making a name for himself in the ACC.
Pinto, who is in the 141-pound weight class, came to the university from Stockholm, N.J. He won multiple awards in high school, including the 2003 All-West Jersey wrestler of the year. However, the transition from being a high school star to a college reserve was difficult.
Pinto finished the 2003-‘04 season with a disappointing 7-9 record. He wrestled in only one dual meet and felt the hardship of being a freshman college wrestler.
“[Pinto] was very frustrated last year,” said Terp coach Pat Santoro. “He went through the growing pains last year, but this year it’s paying off.”
Pinto’s overall record this year is 18-9. He placed third at the Cornell Body Bar Classic and fourth at the Penn State Open. Pinto’s struggles last year have paid off so far, but not without hard work.
To begin the season, Pinto didn’t even have a starting roster spot. Santoro left the 141-pound position up for grabs as Pinto, last year’s starter Jason Gribschaw and redshirt freshman Andrew Schlaffer competed for the spot. Gribschaw — a junior co-captain — suffered a back injury, forcing him to miss the entire season, and Pinto beat out Schlaffer for the 141-pound spot.
“It’s hard wrestling off [against] your friend in practice knowing it’s for the starting spot,” Pinto said. “It stinks. It’s like the worst thing because you know what each person is going to do and you’re friends and one of you doesn’t get the spot.”
Pinto trains at the wrestling facility three days a week, early in the morning for 30 minutes, pushing himself and not wasting any opportunities to improve.
“He gets the most out of 30 minutes,” Santoro said. “He’s really in incredible shape, and that’s one of the keys to his success.”
Pinto continues to impress Santoro during afternoon practices. “Charlie’s just one of those guys that always does the extra work,” Santoro said. “Everything you ask him to do he does plus the extra and I think it’s apparent throughout the country — guys he lost to earlier he’s beating now.”
That sentiment was most apparent Jan. 13 in a dual meet against Navy where Pinto’s biggest win of the season came against then No. 13-ranked Nate Gulosh. Pinto came up short against Gulosh earlier in the season at the Southern Scuffle but shocked him, 8-5, during the dual meet.
Pinto gives part of the credit for the huge upset victory to his coaches.
“Just by watching videos with Santoro and working on stuff with [assistant coach Brad] Dillon and [assistant coach Shane] Mack and just training all the time helps me figure out what to do in those situations,” Pinto said. “Basically, the last part of the match that sealed the win for me is what we went over for about two weeks straight.”
Since then, Pinto has dominated his opponents, going 3-1 in dual meets, including wins by a fall and a major decision. His success has provided energy and motivation to his teammates.
“Charlie’s done an outstanding job,” said junior Jason Kiessling. “He’s definitely a big factor to the team.”
“When Charlie goes out there, you know that he’s probably going to win,” said junior co-captain Adam James. “You know that’s the match to watch.”
Pinto will have more chances to shine this year: There are five dual meets left along with the ACC tournament and the NCAA tournament.
