After sitting out the 2014-15 wrestling season as a redshirt at Penn State University, Nico Megaludis was sure he would win the NCAA Division I title that eluded him the previous three years.
He was so sure that he reminded himself constantly.
“I had notes everywhere, in my bedroom and bathroom at Penn State, my bedroom and bathroom at home, my wrestling room at home, the steering wheel of my car.” said Megaludis, a graduate of Franklin Regional High School. “The notes said: I am the 2016 national champion. They also had the date of the tournament [March 17-19] and the site [Madison Square Garden].”
Megaludis was convinced he would win.
“I just believed it 100 percent,” Megaludis said. “That’s the mindset I had this season. Nothing was going to stop me from winning the national title.”
Megaludis reached his goal last weekend with five victories in the 125-pound weight class in front of sellout crowds at Madison Square Garden.
“I’m finally a champion,” said Megaludis, who found it hard to communicate his feelings after recording a 6-3 win against Iowa’s Thomas Gilman in the title match. “I’m at a loss for words, but it’s a good feeling. It’s a relief to finally win a national title.”
Megaludis concludes his collegiate career as one of only nine four-time All-Americans in Penn State wrestling history. He compiled a 122-20 career mark, all at 125 pounds. He placed second in the country in 2012 and 2013, then finished third in 2014.
Penn State coach Cael Sanderson decided to redshirt Megaludis and teammate Zain Retherford last season, a decision that worked to perfection as both claimed NCAA titles.
“I could have attended the national tournament last year, but didn’t feel that was the right thing to do,” Megaludis said. “It was tough sitting out for the season, but it was very beneficial. I gained a lot of maturity, both in wrestling and life. Mental maturity played a big part in my success.”
Megaludis was seeded No. 3 in the 33-man bracket.
“I couldn’t be happier for Nico,” Sanderson said. “He’s in the finals as a true freshman, in the finals as a sophomore, took third as a junior, redshirted. He’s a guy that we wanted to win in the worst possible way. And it was emotional. It was awesome. We’re happy for him, a kid that works extremely hard. He’s very disciplined and very consistent. Always gives his best effort.”
It was a double celebration for Megaludis, as Penn State claimed its fifth NCAA team title in six years.
“There can’t be many wrestlers who have started on four national championship quads,” Megaludis said. “We also won titles at the Southern Scuffle and Big Ten tournaments all four years.”
Megaludis will graduate from Penn State in May with a finance degree, but his wrestling career is not over.
“In three weeks, I will be at the Oympic team trials in Iowa City,” said Megaludis, who earned an automatic berth with his NCAA title. “And when I win the team trials, I will be going to Rio for the Olympics.”
Megaludis will be competing at 57 kilos, which translates to 125.6 pounds.
“Two years ago, I placed second in the team trials after losing, 1-0, in the finals on a controversial call,” Megaludis said. “Last year, I didn’t compete due to an injury.”
Megaludis has been hired by Northwestern Mutual as a financial adviser and will be working with his dad.
At Franklin Regional, Megaludis was almost perfect. He won four WPIAL titles, three PIAA titles and posted a 170-1 record.
First Published: March 25, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
