The Observer, March 21, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 21
Manoogian is wrestling's first All-American since 2004
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When Dave Manoogian stepped onto the mat for what might be the final tournament of his career, it started out just like any other day. "I had butterflies in my stomach, but I always do when I wrestle so it was nothing different," he said. But when he walked off the mat at day's end, things had turned out differently than they ever had before.
The lone Spartan wrestler traveling to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Manoogian said it was a little strange heading there by himself, and that he had hoped some of his teammates would be accompanying him for the trip. Drew Gardella, who had been practicing as though he would be heading to the tournament, found out the Monday prior that he would not be going.
Manoogian, who was wrestling at nationals for the second time, and the second time alone, said that this time around was the same as last time. "I worked out with some of my friends from other schools, so it was cool."
The weekend started out pretty well for Manoogian, who won his first match, despite spraining his shoulder in the process. Battling injuries is something Manoogian has been doing all season, but he has continued to have success.
His second match was against the No. 4-ranked wrestler from NYU, who Manoogian did not wrestle in the UAA championships due to a separated shoulder. Although it was close for a while, Manoogian says he lost the match in the third period. "He was stalling and hanging on, and it ended up close, but I lost it." Going into the third match, against the No. 2 wrestler in the country, Manoogian knew he had to perform in order to have a chance at getting up on the podium. Feeling like there was nothing to lose, while having been defeated by the same guy at the regional tournament, Manoogian won the back-and-forth match by a 3-2 margin. It was this match that made the day so much different than normal.
The top eight finishers in each weight class earn the right to be titled "All-Americans." Winning this match gave Manoogian a guaranteed finish of no less than eighth and the ability to get all the way up to third. He went on to lose the next two matches, but considering all the injuries he's suffered over the course of the season, he says he'll take it.
As for Manoogian's future, it is unclear which road he will follow. Because he transferred to Case after redshirting at Findlay, he has one more year of eligibility left. "I haven't really decided whether I am going to use it or not," he said. "Right now my body can't handle another season of wrestling and cutting weight, but maybe after a year I'll be back and finish up."
"I think it was a pretty solid season overall, but it was plagued with a lot of injuries and I felt like I could never get fully healthy," said Manoogian. And while what could be his final match ended in a loss, he did end up becoming an All-American, the first Case wrestler to do so since Zak Kallai in 2004, something he had been aiming for all season.
Perhaps his career is over, and it has been nothing short of outstanding, but maybe Manoogian will give it one more run at a national title while completely healthy. "I've been wrestling since I was eight," he said. "I don't think I can just up and leave the sport."
Especially knowing he has a chance to do it all over again.
