Betancourt prepares for West Point by winning his battles on the mat

By: Ken Weingartner
   Scott Betancourt has had plenty of reasons to feel good lately.
   First, the Monroe High senior recently found out he was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he plans to get an engineering degree.
   Second, he is putting together a strong season on the wrestling mat. A year ago, Betancourt came within three points of qualifying for the Region 5 Tournament. This season, with that near miss serving as motivation, he has continued making positive strides.
   "This is my best season," said Betancourt, who is 9-4 heading into tonight’s (Friday’s) match against Sayreville. "I think I improved a lot last year and now I’m winning matches I didn’t expect to win. I’m feeling more confidence in myself. I really didn’t have high expectations. I’m doing far better than I expected. I just hope I keep succeeding."
   Betancourt, who was 8-15 last year, is in only his fourth season of wrestling, and just his second on the varsity. He might be able to gauge his improvement tonight when he is expected to meet Sayreville’s Scott Poore, the same wrestler to whom he dropped a 13-10 decision in the third-place match at districts in 2004.
   "That’s definitely something to think about," said Betancourt, who has split time wrestling at 130 and 135. "Revenge is a good thing.
   "That was a big disappointment," he added about the district tourney. "It hit me after the match that, wow, I was right there wrestling for third place and a chance to move on. Once you realize the season is over, you want more. It stays with you all year.
   "I think I can obtain it this year. I’m ready to go out and see what I’ve got. As a senior, you have got to give it all you’ve got. You don’t want any regrets. Regrets are the last thing you want as a senior."
   Betancourt finished third at 130 in the Ewing Tournament in mid-December, a finish from which he said, "I really started to build confidence." His growth as been aided by facing teammates Justin Bauman and Anthony Mancini, a district champ last season, on a regular basis in practice.
   "Those guys are two of the top wrestlers in Middlesex County," Betancourt said. "Training with people like that, you can’t ask for anything more. They strive for more every day; they push me every day. It’s just good to be a part of that."
   A soccer player in the fall, Betancourt said his conditioning is his strength on the wrestling mat. It was evident Tuesday when he pinned Middlesex’s Ernest Prempeh in the final minute of their match at 135. The win helped lift the Falcons to a 37-34 victory as they improved to 6-2.
   "I don’t think anyone is sticking with me conditioning-wise in the third period," Betancourt said. "I’ve been wrestling up weights and sticking with heavier people because of it, even getting pins like the other night. A lot of the credit goes to our coaches. They push us every day; there’s no letting down on us."
   Betancourt’s win against Middlesex was just one of many dramatic triumphs. Grant Herring (171), Justin Lupo (215) and Mike Tuhy (145) also had pins —- with Tuhy’s providing the winning margin. Mancini (140) won by major decision and Justin Mazor won by decision. Monroe trailed 34-18 before taking the final four bouts.
   "That match was a huge highlight," Betancourt said. "We haven’t beaten them in a long time. Just having that high, coming off a win like that, is just huge. It was good. To feel things like that, it’s just great for the team. We have a lot of potential. We don’t have a huge amount of stars, but we’re doing real well as a team. I’m seeing more and more potential from wrestlers every day. I think we can take it further."
   Betancourt, who is one of the team’s captains, knows it will require commitment and hard work to continue finding success. As he noted, six minutes, the length of a full wrestling match, "can be a long time."
   "I think wrestlers are the only people who appreciate that," he added. "You’ve got to tough it out and push every day. That’s what seniors have to do. Our hardest matches are coming up; we’ve definitely got to keep it up right now. Mentally, you have to keep pushing yourself and your teammates as well. There’s always room for improvement."
   Of course, with a commitment to West Point, it is clear Betancourt understands dedication.
   "Right now, it’s tough with what’s going on in the world," he said about going to the Military Academy. "But four years from now, I think we’ll be fine. I feel pretty comfortable with it. I’ve thought about it, obviously; going to West Point is a big step. But I’m ready to serve, no doubt."
   As for the remainder of this season, Betancourt hasn’t established any goals.
   "I really don’t look long term," he said. "I keep it to one match at a time. Making it to regionals, I guess is definitely a goal. If I could take it farther, that would be great. But right now it’s one match at a time."
   After all, six minutes is long enough.