Christiansburg High School’s Nick Giantonio (center, seated) has signed a national letter of intent to continue his wrestling career at Newberry College. Also, pictured are: (seated from left) parents, Cecelia and Kurt Giantonio; back row- Christiansburg Athletic Director Tim Cromer, Wrestling Coach Cliff Warden and Principal Tony Deibler.
Another member of the 17-time state champion, Christiansburg High School wrestling team, will continue his career in college. Nick Giantonio signed a letter of intent Monday afternoon to wrestle this fall at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina.
The high school All-American who has won over 100 matches during his four years of varsity competition said he chose Newberry because it was the best opportunity to graduate and to wrestle.
He was recruited by the school’s coaching staff after they watched him defeat one of South Carolina’s top wrestlers they had been initially recruiting.
“They came up to me after the match and said they had been recruiting him, but after my quick work of him on the mat, they were interested in me,” said Giantonio, who has been wrestling for 14 years.
During his time at CHS, he has been a 2-tme state champion and 2-time FLO National All-American and was one of seven individuals that brought home state titles this past winter. The Blue Demons took another team title, their 17th straight with all four seniors announcing plans to wrestle in college.
Christiansburg coach Cliff Warden is happy for Giantonio who has a lot of blood, sweat and tears invested in the sport.
“Now he has a great opportunity to continue wrestling and go to college without the financial strains. After visiting several schools, Nick and his family agreed Newberry was the one,” Warden said
Newberry College is a Division II athletic program and shared the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship this past season, finishing with a 12-6 overall mark and graduated seven seniors this spring.
Cy Wainwright, a former wrestler at the school was named as the second head wrestling coach in Newberry College history in May 2016.
In his second season at the helm, Wainwright and his team finishing the 2017-18 season ranked 16th in the nation. During his time as a wrestler, Wainwright finished with a record of 36-0.
Giantonio will be joined at Newberry by another familiar former Christiansburg. His brother, David, will also attend the school after sitting out the sport this past year because of injury. He will have four years of eligibility left.
Nick Giantonio plans to major in business at Newberry.
