Penn State picked up its first verbal commitment for the Class of 2016 in late November - and it was a big one.
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That's when Mason Manville, a Virginia native who competes for Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., announced via social media that he'd be continuing his college career with the Nittany Lions.
Both FloWrestling.com and IntermatWrestle.com rank Manville as the nation's No. 2-ranked overall prospect in the junior class. Already a prep national champion and winner of some of the country's most prestigious high school tournaments, including titles in Greco Roman and freestyle, Manville, a projected 165-pounder, has tall aspirations for his collegiate career and beyond.
He caught up with Blue White Illustrated's Tim Owen recently to talk about his decision and his future with the Nittany Lions.
Owen: To start, tell me about the decision. How'd it go down?
Manville: I've gone to a couple visits; I think four or five to Penn State. After the last visit - when I went to to watch the Lehigh vs. Penn State dual (Nov. 9) - I kind of fell in love with it even more. It just felt like I was supposed to be there. It felt good. When I came back to Blair I was just imagining myself winning my NCAA title, but I couldn't really see myself in any other singlet than a Penn State singlet.
Owen: What was it about that match?
Manville: I don't know. It was just a feeling. The crowd was crazy and it wasn't even that big of a dual. The atmosphere was really great. I know a lot of the guys on the team. I talk to them a lot. They just seem like winners, and I really appreciate being around like-minded people like that. I like working hard. I like - I love wrestling. I like winning. I like pushing myself to the breaking point and getting better everyday.
Owen: It's a pretty early decision. What made you decide to get it out of the way now?
Manville: All of the people in my weight class, from 152 to 70 have been committing early, if you haven't noticed. Like (Fox) Baldwin committed (to Virginia) early. (Alex) Marinelli committed (to Ohio State) early. (Nick) Reenan committed (to Northwestern) early. A lot of people around my weight had committed early. It wasn't like I was trying to follow them; it was just that positions on the team were getting filled. ...
It also makes my 2016 Olympic training plan easier, so it just works out better.
Owen: Who else did you consider then?
Manville: I considered Minnesota, Iowa and Virginia Tech. Those were the other three big ones that were in my head. They're all great schools, they're all great in their own way, but it just seems like Penn State has all of that, plus a little more. So it just felt right.
Owen: You've accomplished quite a bit at Blair: prep nationals, Fargo, Beast of the East. You've done a little bit of it all. You've got obviously big Olympic goals, too. What about collegiately? What do you want to accomplish at the next level?
Manville: I want to be a four-time NCAA champion - plain and simple. I know a lot of people say that, but I feel like I could be one of the few who actually does it. The level past that, I want to be an Olympic and World Champion, too. I've actually had the weird goal of being an Olympic goal at least once in both styles.
Owen: 165? Is that where you'll start or might you grow bigger that?
Manville: I think 65 to start and then I'll probably go up to 74. I'll get a little bit bigger, but 65 will be good.