Bucknell University Athletics
Wonsettler Born for a Life on the Mat
1/29/2008 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 29, 2008
By Jillian Jakuba, Bucknell Athletic Communications
To say that Bucknell freshman Charlie Wonsettler was born to be a wrestler wouldn't be that far from the truth. Coming from a family that includes a vast assortment of individuals who have competed at the professional and collegiate level in various sports, including a cousin that plays in the NHL, Wonsettler undoubtedly has athletics in his bones.
Even though he lettered in three other sports besides wrestling--golf, track & field and baseball--during his days at Bentworth High School, it was never a question of which would be his main focus.
"My dad never wrestled before, but had helped start the program at my high school," Wonsettler explains, "and my older brothers started wrestling when they were very young and continued all through college. It was pretty much the sport of choice in my family."
This is not to say he was pushed into wrestling, by any means, as he recalls that it was his choice to start competing on the mat when he was eight or nine-years old. From there, Wonsettler followed in his brothers Clifton's and Christopher's footsteps, until it came time to choose a university to attend.
"Both my brothers had gone to Penn State, but I wanted to try something different," Wonsettler recalls. "After getting a letter randomly from Bucknell, I knew it was a great school so I looked into it more."
Upon arriving in Lewisburg and joining up with the Bison this past fall, Wonsettler quickly learned he would have many challenges ahead of him.
"It's a big difference wrestling here, that's for sure," Wonsettler admits. "I'm not part of a high school program anymore. The coaches expect a lot out of their wrestlers so we have to give a lot back. All of the competition at his level is top-notch, so I really have to be on form and work hard all the time."
Little did he know coming in that his task would soon become increasingly tougher. In early December, Wonsettler was presented with the opportunity to be a regular starter. However, the starting role was not at 184 pounds, his listed weight, but at the next weight class up--197.
"When I first came into the program, the coaches wanted me at 184 and I was small for that weight, so even that was an adjustment," Wonsettler states. "Now that I'm wrestling at 197, I'm trying to put on more and more weight. I'm slowly starting to do that but, the guys I'm facing are a lot bigger than I am, so I have to wrestle smart and wrestle faster than my opponents."
Wonsettler is no stranger to adversity, though. While battling back from an injury and dealing with the death of his mother, Cathy, during his junior year at Bentworth, he managed not only to compete in the postseason but qualified for the PIAA Southwest Regional and recorded one of his four career WPIAL place-winning performances.
"When my mom got sick, I was also recovering from an injury, so I took time off from wrestling to be with my family," says Wonsettler. "My junior year I only wrestled around 14 matches. I didn't really compete until the postseason, which was an emotional ride. It was so hard to concentrate when all I could think about was my mom."
Wonsettler's current challenge seems far less arduous, but that does not mean his hard work and progress should go unmentioned. At his new weight, Wonsettler is 5-4, overall, but has made great strides since dropping a 14-4 major decision to Cale Byers of George Mason in his first match at 197.
After coming up just short against Missouri's Josh Skurnik to open the second half of the season, 9-4, Wonsettler rebounded by posting his first dual-meet pin. In Bucknell's 47-0 victory over Wagner, he downed Anthony Interiano in the opening period. Pleased with that result, Wonsettler is encouraged by his own progress, but recognizes there is much work still to be done.
"I actually wrestled one of my better matches at Wagner," he states. "I really wrestled hard and smart. Looking back, now I realize I really wasn't working as hard as I should have been prior moving up a weight class. Now that I have a starting spot, I really have to step up and make the best of the situation because the competition is really good and I have to be right up there with them."
Wonsettler fully recognizes what a key role those around him have played in his progress. In addition to the guidance he's received from the Bison coaching staff, Wonsettler credits his family and teammate David Marble as great motivators.
"It's great when I get to see family and friends in the stands," he remarks. "It really helps out a lot. I want to impress them, of course, and wrestle the best that I can. As for Marble, he's the greatest worker in the room and an amazing guy. Running on the track sometimes he'll catch up behind me after lapping me already and say `c'mon Charlie, c'mon' and I'll run my hardest with him. He's been a really big help."
Watching Wonsettler on the mat, it's easy to see he has a gift. What's even more refreshing is that he is neither egotistical nor ignorant when it comes to the natural ability he's inherited.
"I have quite a few athletes in my family and I've come to realize not that many people have the opportunity to compete at this level and beyond. It's really cool to be a part of something so unique."
