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Wrestlers often spend time getting hyped up before a big match, but Nixa’s Donovan Benetti takes a different approach.
“This year has been totally different in the way he prepares for his matches,” said head coach Dustin Martin.
“I Listen to Miley Cyrus,” said Benetti. “Slow, calming songs.”
In his sophomore and junior year, Donovan finished 2nd at the District Championships.
“He hasn’t disappointed us, but he’s been disappointed in his end of year results the last couple of years,” said Martin. “And, a lot of that’s been due to an internal stress he puts on himself.”
But he made some changes over the summer before heading into his senior season.
“I did a lot of yoga this summer, my dad was always big into it, and I never believed him.”
“Some people make fun of me for it, but, it’s working.
And it might have been a game changer.
“He’s incredibly flexible, which has a lot to do with the yoga,” said Martin.
“Yoga has taught me how to control my breathing,” said Benetti. “It helps me push through those tight, close matches where I’m just totally exhausted.”
This year, Donovan didn’t finish as the runner up at the District Tournament,
He pinned his opponent for the 195 weight class championship.
“It was a fun match, definitely.”
“He did a great job, he went out and got two take downs right off the bat, and was able to get the pin, so he was really pretty dominate in that match.”
After that win at the district tournament, Donovan maintained his perfect 43-0 record.
“I don’t know, it’s pretty cool just to be undefeated, but there’s also a pressure bubble.”
Which makes him only the 2nd wrestler from Nixa to go to the State Tournament undefeated. So, maybe the yoga thing will catch on?
“I don’t know that we’d do a full-out yoga practice in the Nixa high school wrestling room, but its definitely caught on a little bit, and it’s a little more popular than it used to be.”
Or maybe not, but it’s working for him, and that’s why he’s this week’s Arby’s High School Athlete of the Week.
