By Jimmy Allinder
Despite a less than auspicious debut with the Monroe Township Recreation Department wrestling team, fourth-grader Donny Albach believed he had found his sport.
Albach competed hard but kept losing every match, mainly because he was going up against more experienced opponents. Perseverance and a lot of family support eventually prevailed, and Albach’s matches ended with more victories than defeats.
His improvement at the recreation, club and high school levels has been so dramatic, there’s a strong possibility Albach, a rising senior at Monroe Township High School, will compete at the collegiate level after graduation. His 93 average certainly won’t hurt his chances either.
“I’d like to wrestle in college,” he said. “But I’m going to wait to decide where that is. A lot could still happen between now and this upcoming season.”
Much already has since he first walked on the mat as the unsure and untested rec wrestler. Winning his first match still remains Albach’s most cherished moment, he says, especially since his parents were there to watch him.
Albach developed a strong, relentless work ethic through grade school and was ready to contribute to the high school varsity team as a freshman. He competed mostly at 126 pounds and finished 17-13 with seventh- and fourth-place finishes in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) and NJSIAA District 20 tournaments, respectively.
As a sophomore, Albach moved up to 145 pounds, but the season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and dislocated elbow. He was disheartened, but he never lost his resolve and vigorously rehabbed.
The commitment showed. Competing in the same weight class as the previous season, he ended with a 29-13 record and finished third in the GMCs and second in the districts. Albach fell short of qualifying for the state finals but earned fifth-place in the regionals.
“Donny’s sophomore season ended abruptly, but he certainly bounced back well,” Monroe head coach Bill Jacoutot said. “He’s not only a fierce competitor but a born leader. We’re counting on him to be an example of what’s required to compete on the varsity level.
“Donny buys into everything our staff preaches. He got a taste last season of what it’s like to be on the verge of qualifying for [the state finals in] Atlantic City. The experience lit a fire under him, and I expect that to carry over to this season.”
When asked to make a self-assessment of where he’s at in his wrestling career, Albach agrees with his coach that injuries are a part of the sport, but he has never made that an excuse. His response has been to bounce back with added resolve — the same mindset he calls on when he’s tempted to overlook homework because he’s too tired.
“The demands of wrestling and school require effective time management, especially during the season,” said Albach, who will move down to 138 pounds this season. “My parents have made academics the first priority, so I’ve always done homework during free time in class or lunch period. I make sure I complete everything before I go to sleep, including studying for tests.”
Albach’s family includes his parents, Don and Tina, and sisters, Paige and Ally. He says his father has been especially influential throughout his life.
“My dad introduced me to wrestling, and he’s been extremely supportive by making sure I have the means to be successful, whether it’s driving me to club practices or strength training,” Albach said. “I also appreciate how my high school coaches worked me hard, built my physical strength and enabled me to improve my technical skills.
“My approach once I walk on the mat is to utilize everything I’ve learned and be in good position to score.”
When the referee blows the whistle and the match begins, Albach springs into auto drive with a pre-determined strategy.
“I think about how to get my opponent out of position and then the next move,” he said. “I also listen to instructions from my coaches from the corner because they have a vantage point that can help me make adjustments.”
Albach wrestles most of his matches instinctively and says there’s not a better feeling than when he prevails.
“It’s great to win a match and realize it had to do with all the hard work and sacrifices I’ve made,” he said. “There are no shortcuts in this sport, and that will always be what drives me.”
All of which can be applied to life.