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The junior 133-pound wrestler and team captain recently won the prestigious War on the Shore Tournament in Ocean City, MD and has pinned eleven opponents en route to a 18-4 record. Last winter, he was a PIAA state qualifier at 127 pounds, posting a 32-6 record with 14 pins, finishing second at Sectionals and fifth at Regionals. As a freshman, he posted a 28-11 record with 19 pins and finished second at Sectionals. An all-around athlete, Warkentine has competed in varsity cross country and lacrosse for the Pioneers since his freshman year. Conestoga wrestling head coach Gary Baker said, “I have coached Miles since he started wrestling and continue to be amazed with his athleticism and drive for improvement. Our coaching staff stresses the importance of being in the present mindset with a simple goal of scoring the next point – regardless of the situation, and Miles exemplifies this in every match. The fact that he has obtained his success without ever wrestling in the off-season should put his opponents on guard, as he will do so for the first time this year. The only thing that surpasses his athletic ability and work ethic is his upstanding character.”
Q: What do you consider your biggest strength on the mat and what you are working on most currently?
A: I would say that my mat awareness and wrestling intuition/IQ are my biggest strengths. I have an ability to feel my opponents’ weight distribution and I can anticipate their next move. I’m currently working on my tilts and single legs. When I am in the practice room I make sure to try different things and not use the moves that I know I can win with.
Q: You mentioned that you thought your best match of the postseason last year was the 6-4 overtime win against Patrick Kelly of Central Bucks West at Regionals that qualified you for States. Tell us a little about the match, and your key(s) to victory.
A: I wrestled him earlier in the day and lost 6-2. I definitely didn’t wrestle my best and I made some mistakes. When we met the second time I knew I had to win in order to qualify for States so I stayed focused. The key to that victory was just what Coach (Gary) Baker preaches: “Little things win big matches.” I knew that every point counts and I had to wrestle smart and it ultimately paid off.
Q: What do you think has been your best match of the season to date, and what was the biggest key to your success that day?
A: I think my best match of the season was the finals match at the 22nd Annual War on the Shore tournament. I was the 10th seed which meant I had a grueling path to the finals. Day 1 started with 3 matches against highly ranked wrestlers. I had 2 pins and a decision to make it to Day 2. I then pinned in the semi-finals to make it to the finals against Tyler Wood from Maryland. I started off a little slow and was taken down in the first period. I stayed focused and kept moving until I got an escape and used that momentum to secure a takedown just before the buzzer. I was able to build from there. In the 2nd period I had another escape and takedown and then a takedown to his back to end the match with a 11-2 major decision. This was a breakthrough weekend for me. Most of the top wrestlers compete year round so I feel that I’m at a disadvantage early in the season having just finished Cross Country in the Fall. I feel like I have finally caught up and am back to where I need to be for the post-season and this was definitely my breakthrough weekend.
Q: What advantages do you think being a multi-sport athlete offers?
A: I feel that being a multi-sport athlete has helped me be a better overall wrestler. The conditioning and strategy from cross country and the teamwork and field IQ from lacrosse have all helped make me a better wrestler. It also helps prevent injury and burn out at this age. I also have the benefit of learning from other great coaches and their philosophies on sports.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in wrestling. What originally sparked your interest in wrestling?
A: I started wrestling in first grade at Conestoga Youth Wrestling Association (CYWA). I had a few friends that were wrestling and that sparked my interest. What helped maintain my interest were the excellent coaches and wrestlers in the program. Everyone made learning the sport fun. No one pushed too hard, but allowed for opportunities above and beyond to improve.
Q: Who have been your most influential wrestling mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
A: Coach Baker is probably my No. 1 mentor. Not only has he been my high school coach since my sophomore year, but he was my youth coach at CYWA as well. At age 12 I hit a big milestone and qualified for youth states at University of Pittsburgh and Coach Baker was there every step of the way. I went on to take third in the state with his support and guidance. He has continued to mentor me through high school. He is constantly reminding the team that “little things win big matches, just focus on scoring the next point, and to get better faster than our opponents get better.” He drills it into us that every move you make on the mat and every point matters in wrestling. This mantra has been instrumental for me in winning close matches. My other mentor would be Mitch Baker (no relation to Coach Baker.) He was a senior captain my freshman year at Conestoga and my practice partner. He pushed me harder than anyone else has and made me better for it. He put in the work and is extremely disciplined in everything he does. I feel like he has helped me be a better captain for the team this year. I try to lead by example with the team just as he did. He went on to be a cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.
A: My day starts with a weigh in to ensure I am on weight. About 30 minutes before match time I drill hard. When my match is approaching I listen to pump-up music, pace and try not to be too tense. My main objective going into my match is to stay focused and find my flow state.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Conestoga? What do you think you would like to major in at college? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite course at Conestoga is AP Environmental Science. I like anything related to science or technology. When I go to college I would like to major in some form of engineering.
Q: Do you participate in any extracurricular activities at Conestoga other than wrestling, cross country and lacrosse?
A: Through cross country and wrestling I have been able to help with a community group called T&E Care. They help people in our area in need. I have been able to help them collect, organize, and assemble college and cleaning bags for people in our community, and I have found it very rewarding.
Fun facts – Miles Warkentine
Favorite book: Lone Survivor, by Marcus Luttrell.
Favorite TV show: Suits.
Favorite movie: Prisoners.
Favorite athlete: Jon Jones.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Off the Grid, by Kanye West.
Favorite team: Sixers.
Favorite place to visit: St. Maarten.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Chicken hoagie, soft pretzel, and honey barbecue Frito twists from Wawa.
Person I most admire, and why: “My sister Ella, who is currently triple majoring at Brandeis University. She competes on their cross country and track teams and participates in ROTC through Boston University. She inspires me to work hard in all aspects of my life.”
Family members: sister Ella, brother Parker, mother Stacy Warkentine, stepfather Mark Redlus and father Blaine Warkentine.
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