Today's alumni interview goes back to my days as a Generals wrestler, with John Polena, Class of 2003. John was the captain of the team my Junior year, which was pretty much the only almost-full year I wrestled thanks to a shoulder injury. We didn't have fancy digital cameras back then, so I don't have any pictures to post.
John Polena
W&L Class of 2003
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Current Job: Associate Attorney for an Insurance defense and Family Law firm.
Coach Bennett: John, you're 6 years out of school now and a practicing attorney. Give me your impression on why W&L is so special.
John Polena: W&L presents you with an opportunity to receive a top 25 liberal arts education, while still maintaining a quality social life and a competitive athletic experience. It is something very few Division III colleges are able to offer.
CB: And what impact did wrestling at W&L have on you?
JP: W&L Wrestling provided me with an opportunity to continue my athletic success at the collegiate level while also getting a great education. This is something I look back on in my professional life for motivation. While most people you meet will talk about how they were good enough to take things to the next level, you'll be able to look them in the eye and say you had the determination and drive to actually do it. The things instilled in me through wrestling at W&L still provide me with an edge.
CB: This is not a surprise to anyone that's ever wrestled for Coach Franke, but you always seemed to have a great relationship with him. Tell me a little about that.
JP: Coach Franke is one of the few coaches that I ever met over the course of my 10 years wrestling that individualized his coaching approach to each wrestler's strengths and weaknesses that he brought with him. While many coaches try to change each new class and mold them to their style, Coach Franke always had the ability to get the most from his wrestlers by maximizing their strengths rather than trying to make what were his strengths theirs. It is the difference between a good coach and a great coach and it was a true honor to learn under someone like that.
CB: Any final thoughts on anything W&L, wrestling, etc.?
JP: Having actually wrestled at W & L with Mike [Coach Bennett] I can say that you will not find anyone more motivated or willing to give his time to make you better. He's a tremendous asset to the wrestling program and having been a part of it brings a special insight to W & L wrestling that most outsiders could not even begin to understand.
CB: Well that's very flattering John. I think I was lucky to have some very good captains, team-mates, and leaders during my tenure at W&L, and in all honesty I simply just love this school and the type of athletes and people that we have here.
Stay tuned to the blog for more updates and alumni interviews.
