This week we Take Five with Dillon Guarino, a 2012 graduate of West Milford High School who came out tops in his class. Dillon loves wrestling but academics always come first. He will be off to Stevens Institute of Technology soon with his eye on a degree in engineering.
1) How did you get involved with wrestling?
I got involved in wrestling when I was in fourth grade by joining the West Milford Jr. Wrestling Program. However, I did not become truly passionate about the sport until I reached high school.
2) Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration in wrestling was actually my head coach, Coach Blakely. I've never met a man who cared so much about a team and he would do anything for us. Also he amazed me because even though he's much older than all of us, he was probably in better shape than half of my team.
3) Share a favorite moment with your team/club/group.
My favorite moment with my team was our last match against Boonton. Because I had never been on a varsity team with a winning record it was my goal to have a winning record my senior year. At that point we were .500 but everyone really stepped it up because they knew how much it meant to me since it was my last year. It seemed like everyone got a pin that match, and Boonton was not an easy team. It was a great match.
4) What are your long term goals?
As of now I don't plan on wrestling in college, because I would like to stay focused on my school work. Long term I hope to get a degree in engineering, but I'm still undecided as to what discipline of engineering I will be majoring in After getting my degree I wish to find a job working in the city.
5) What do you do with your time when you are not involved with wrestling?
Mostly I fill my free time by hanging out with my friends, whether its just hanging out or playing other sports like soccer or tennis. We always find something to do and have a good time.
Good luck to you, Dillon. And congratulations again on a stellar high school career, both in and out of the classroom. You make us proud!
Do you know someone who should be featured here at Take Five? Let us know by dropping us an email at njoffice@strausnews.com.
Bonus Five
6) What would most people be surprised to know about wrestling?
Wrestling may come off as a sport that mainly has to do with strength but it is actually a grueling sport mentally as well and there is a great amount of technicality behind every little thing we do.
7) Describe your support system.
My support system included my family, my friends, my teammates and my coaches. My family and friends supported me each year and put up with me when I could get a little cranky because the sport pushes you to the point of exhaustion. My teammates were right there with me every practice and we all pushed each other to be the best we could be. Our coaches were most important however because they kept us in great physical shape and taught us everything we knew about the sport.
8) Name three things you would bring with you if you were on a deserted island.
I would bring sunscreen so I don't burn alive, a tv with a Netflix subscription because I'd have a lot of time to watch movies, and golf equipment so I could hit golf balls anywhere I'd want.
9) What is your favorite movie and why?
My favorite move is the Shawshank Redemption. The first time I watched it, the end really shocked me and it was extremely uplifting. It was amazing that a movie that takes place in a prison the entire time could have such a satisfying ending.
10) Share something no one knows about you.
Not many people know that I was actually born in Abilene, Texas on an Air Force base.