Penn State strength and conditioning coach Shawn Contos can vouch for the less is more adage when it comes to Wade. Contos, who keeps extensive performance logs for every wrestler, said all of Wade’s major strength totals have increased. Wade can now squat 415 pounds seven straight times, a task he couldn’t accomplish last season. The differences are apparent on the mat. Wade (20-6) has defeated a variety of heavyweights, including some who push the NCAA’s 285-pound maximum. Known for his aggressive mat wrestling, Wade holds a 13-7 takedown advantage in dual meets. “He’s fast out there and he’s strong, too,” Contos said. “It helps him. He’s not carrying around excess weight like he was toward the end of last season.” Wade wants to forget last season. The two-time Ohio state champ failed to make an instant impact in Penn State’s lineup, finishing 15-14 as a red-shirt freshman. Wade went 0-8 against ranked opponents and missed a NCAA tournament spot by finishing sixth at the Big Ten Championships. “That was horrible,” he said. “That happened to me my freshman year of high school, not going to the state tournament. “I just made up my mind that it’s not going to happen again.”
Before soliciting outside advice, Wade changed his diet after the season ended. He consumed less ice cream and fewer 3Muskeeters bars. Wade visited Subway as often as twice a day, bypassing meatball and steak subs for those with chicken or turkey. Wade also ran more, alternating between distance runs and sprints. He gradually lost weight and didn’t feel as sluggish when he returned to the mat. “You don’t eat empty calories,” Contos said. “Every time you’re fueling your body it’s got to be jet fuel. It can’t be unleaded gas. You can obviously see with the way he’s wrestling and the way he looks he’s making the right nutritional choices.” Wade’s physical changes and diet are the source of ribbing from teammates, including sophomore Frank Molinaro, a part of the same recruiting class. “I always make fun of him for losing all that weight,” Molinaro said. “He never gave me a straight answer why he lost all that weight. Don’t let him fool you. I see him eat candy and stuff. We all do that. But for the most part, he eats healthy.”
Wade’s results are certainly healthy. He received hard evidence a leaner frame could produce big wins when he defeated Edinboro giant Chris Birchler 9-2 at the Sprawl and Brawl Duals in November. Wade owns three other victories over ranked heavyweights, including an overtime victory over Kent State’s Brendan Barlow. Cael Sanderson coached Dave Zabriskie, who weighs around 230 pounds, for three years at Iowa State. Zabriskie is a two-time All-American, but Sanderson, who works with heavyweights, said he’s not trying to fit a template with Wade. “I just want kids that wrestle,” Sanderson said. “Wade’s a good-sized heavyweight. The big thing is that he’s tall. We’re just trying to develop a style that works best for him and his abilities.” So far, a smaller Wade is a better Wade. “His confidence is up,” Molinaro said. “He knows he can beat these guys. He knows he can dominate guys. He has real good conditioning because of his size. I haven’t seen him lose one match because he’s tired.”
Thanks to Guy Cipriano and the "Centre Daily Times" (State College, Pa.) for the article