Why Butler wrestling standout Santino Sloboda, a junior lightweight, committed to Pitt
There’s no place like home.
After exploring other avenues, Santino Sloboda realizes that.
The Butler wrestling standout, a junior, had six major collegiate offers, including from Bucknell, Lehigh and West Virginia. Proximity wasn’t a huge factor for him at first.
“We flew into Philly, and it had to be 11 p.m. we’re taking off,” Sloboda said of his visit to Brown, another suitor, in Providence, R.I. “I’m like, ‘If I had to do this all the time just to get to college and back, I’d hate it.’”
Comparably, that trip — approximately 550 miles — was more manageable than the one to the University of Wyoming, which tacked on another 900. Sloboda stopped by there, too, but despite their interest, Sloboda wasn’t going to be a Cowboy.
“It’s, like, a 23-hour drive (one way),” Sloboda said. “I could never do that.”
The idea of remaining nearby became appealing. Right down the road, the University of Pittsburgh beckoned. Sloboda couldn’t refuse. He committed to the Panthers, announcing the decision Oct. 31 on Instagram.
“I’m glad he’s (staying) very local because (his) mom and dad have always been supportive,” Golden Tornado wrestling coach Scott Stoner said. “They’re going to really want to be part of not just his competition schedule, but having him home on weekends at times when he can.”
Pitt’s team currently rosters 14 WPIAL products, including Seneca Valley graduate Tyler Chappell. Assistant coaches Drew Headlee and Luke Pletcher both wrestled in the area, at Greensburg Central and Greater Latrobe, respectively.
The Panthers’ head coach, Keith Gavin, helped Bethel Park grad Nino Bonaccorsi to a national title at 197 pounds in 2023.
“(Gavin) is really trying to rebuild that program — and has been — by bringing kids from the WPIAL area, where there’s some of the best wrestling in the country,” Stoner said.
“The thing is that these kids from other states will go win states like it’s nothing, and then they’ll get to college and every single kid they’re wrestling is the same level as them,” Sloboda said. “But Pa., every single kid is good that you wrestle. There’s six kids in the state bracket that could win it.”
Sloboda figures to find his groove with Pitt by the time he arrives in Oakland.
“He fits into the lineup where they want to put him with their trajectory, as far as in two years where their starters now will be,” Stoner said. “They have him calculated at being at 133 (pounds).”
An unconventional grappler, Sloboda is encouraged by the program’s coaching adaptability. His approach has netted him a 78-6 record with 34 pins and 123 takedowns through two seasons at Butler.
Sloboda won a WPIAL crown at 114 pounds last year and finished sixth in the PIAA. As a freshman, he was the district runner-up at 107 pounds and placed fourth at states.
“He’s just a freakish kind of wrestler,” Stoner said. “He just has unbelievable talent and ability, and has confidence in that. That’s sometimes tough for me to coach because I want to have a structured, cookie-cutter type (of) wrestler. ... He kind of goes the other way with that because he’s just such a freak athlete.
“When he’s wrestling, you don’t want to take your eyes off of him — because he’ll do something unbelievable and you’ll miss it.”
Sloboda still has two seasons remaining in a Butler singlet. He doesn’t discount those.
“I hope to win states, either this year or next year,” Sloboda said. “It’ll be tough, but I think that I’ll get it done.”
Sloboda is also taking aim at Butler’s career wins record, Cole Baxter’s 160.
“I’m coming for that,” Sloboda said.
