North Hills senior hits 100 career wins, lands on college wrestling radar

By: Josh Rowntree
Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Giavonie Schipani’s personality takes on a different form when he steps on the mat.

Off of it, the senior North Hills wrestler is a mild-mannered kid who enjoys quiet time hunting in the woods or fishing on the lake.

But when he goes face-to-face with another wrestler? A different side comes out.

“He’s very competitive out there on the mat,” Indians coach Jose Martinez said. “Those six minutes with Gio — he’s a grinder. People don’t like wrestling him.

“He’s very shy, but on the mat, he’s different.”

Schipani started wrestling in first grade and realized a year later that he had something special brewing.

“I really liked the sport, and I’m good at it,” said Schipani, who wrestles now at 114 or 121 pounds. “I kept going just because I was good at it. And I’m competitive.”

His career got off to a big start with 21 consecutive victories as a freshman wrestler.

“It felt good,” he said. “I don’t like losing and love competing. And it feels good to win.”

Those 21 wins made up about a fifth over his overall win total. Schipani hit 100 career wins Jan. 21 with a triumph over Isaac Maccaglia of Quaker Valley.

“That was one of my goals, to hit 100 wins before I graduate this year,” he said.

Schipani is fueled by a tenacious mindset on the mat. While some wrestlers play a tentative waiting game, he’s far different.

“I always like to compete,” he said. “Whenever I’m in a match, I like going after them and wrestling hard.”

It’s a style his coach enjoys most.

“My preference is that you go out there and be aggressive and tough,” Martinez added. “Some people may think it’s dirty, but I think it’s ‘mean clean.’ That’s what he does. He wrestles hard like that.”

Schipani has another love, and it’s far away from the mat. He’s an avid hunter and fisherman and regularly makes time to enjoy nature, either on his own or with his family.

“We’ll have practice on the weekends and after, I’ll go out hunting until it gets dark,” he said.

And there are plenty of family members to join. Schipani is one of six kids in his household — with three brothers and two sisters — who almost all are involved in athletics in some form.

Colleges are certainly interested in acquiring Schipani’s aggressive mindset. He has had some national interest but is more focused on staying closer to home.

“I want to go to college, but am undecided right now,” said Schipani, who is planning on studying sports management. “I have interest from Seton Hill, Saint Vincent, Pitt-Johnstown and Thiel.

“I want to wrestle in college because it’ll be different in a way. They’re all stronger. It’s a different level, and it’ll be good competition.”

Schipani, who has finished in the top three twice in section tournaments, credits the North Hills coaching staff for playing a large role in his development over the last four years.

“It’s been good,” he said. “They teach me a lot and help me out a lot. Whenever I make mistakes, they show me what I need to do and they’re always supportive.”

Martinez, who feels that Schipani will be a very successful Division II wrestler, has enjoyed being along for the ride, and seeing the occasionally shy kid get after it on the mat, time after time.

“It’s always a pleasure to coach someone who is going to go out and perform for you,” said Martinez. “And that’s definitely one thing Gio does.”

Tags: North Hills