Ever since Jace Deangelis began his first wrestling season at Clover Hill High School, he has always stepped forward. His story is forged with excellence and discipline that have made him a crucial leader and member of the Clover Hill wrestling team.
While many other athletes began wrestling much earlier, Deangelis did not until his freshman year. Wrestling is both physically exhausting and time consuming; Deangelis spent his evenings balancing being a lifegaurd and taking many Advanced Placement (AP) classes, all while wrestling. Despite this, for years, Deangelis stayed consistent and showed up for the team. His efforts were reflected in his progress as he found and leaned into his signature moves and style: the blast double leg.
“My favorite move is either a high crotch or a blast double,” Deangelis said. 
Wrestling has been more than a series of victories for Deangelis; wrestling was a way to exercise control over his body, and it was unity between teammates and a matter of personal pride to be victorious after hard matches.
From early on in his sophomore year, Deangelis struggled with a muscle tear in his shoulder, and the complications it caused were constant. Even with these complications, Deangelis never lost sight of his goal, and he grew into a leader whom younger students could follow.
“My shoulder was an issue for me but I fought through it,” Deangelis said.
As graduation approaches, Deangelis knows there is still much to achieve. He plans to participate in club wrestling while pursuing nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). With this, he can continue to push himself physically while focusing on his education.
“Im planning on going to VCU for nursing,” Deangelis said.
Deangelis is someone who can do whatever he sets his mind to, with deciding to join a sport in high school, he carved out a deep path to victory through perseverance. As he leaves the comfort and familiarity of Clover Hill and his team, Deangelis’s coaches and teammates will always remember him as a determined person who left it all on the mat.
