Wrestling: Broad Run Senior Vince DiRenzo Quietly Becomes Spartans All-Time Victories Leader, Has Shot at Loudoun's All-Time Record

Broad Run senior Vince DiRenzo on Becoming the School's All-Time Victories Leader in Wrestling - Part 1 of 2


By Dan Sousa
VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Ashburn (Jan. 2, 2010) - Vince DiRenzo is a quiet kid in a sport that doesn't get a lot of attention. It is no surprise then that little fanfare was made when DiRenzo reached the 100-victory milestone last year as a junior and then last week, just a month into his senior season, the 135-pounder became Broad Run High School's all-time wrestling victories leader when he notched career win No. 124 in a tournament in Winchester.

"Vince DiRenzo is the best technician of any wrestler I have coached and he has one of the best work ethics," said Broad Run coach John Puterio after DiRenzo went 4-1 Saturday at the Spartan Slam Duals, losing for the first time in 20 matches in a one-point decision.

DiRenzo's 19-1 start gives him a career mark of 128-35 with plenty of wrestling left. Brian Smith, who graduated in 2000, previously held the school career wins mark at 123. DiRenzo even has a shot at breaking the all-time win mark for any wrestler in Loudoun history, thought to be held by Potomac Falls grad Paul Rowane, who graduated last year with 156 wins.



"Basically I just want to win districts, win region and win states," said DiRenzo matter of factly. A wrestler since third grade, DiRenzo hopes to continue his mat career in college as a walk-on at Virginia Tech.

"He is one of those athletes that can wrestle at the highest level," said Puterio.

Known for being able to ride and control opponents legs, DiRenzo will leave his name in the Spartan record books in just about every major category. He came into the season with 830 career points scored and needed just 53 to catch Kevin Malone's record of 883. He came in with 178 career takedowns, needing 34 to catch Brandon Calderwood's all-time mark of 212. His career team points of 522 at the start of the season was already ahead of George Black's 489 for all-time in the school.

DiRenzo wrestled 112 as a freshman and went 32-15. His sophomore season he was 35-9 at 125 pounds. Last year, wrestling a little light at 135, he went 42-10 and finished third in region and seventh in the state, but only after a motivational jumpstart from Puterio.

"The turning point came midway last year when he lost at the Jefferson tournament. I had a talk with him and he took it to heart," said Puterio.

DiRenzo's level of intensity and toughness turned up a notch and it hasn't let down since. This year he feels more comfortable staying at the same weight.

"I was a little light last year so it helps to actually be the right weight this year," DiRenzo said.

Puterio agrees: "He really was a 130 pounder last year wrestling at 135. Now he is a weight loss guy and he is large for a 135-pounder."

Part 2 of the Vince DiRenzo Interview