Nicholas Mancuso '20 Recruiting Profile

I've learned that winning programs are as much about commitment, integrity and comraderie as they are about talent.  I believe that I am exactly what any winning program is looking for in a recruit as even more then an accomplished and proven on field performer,  I pride myself in being an even better teammate.  A big part of my contribution to the team is my commitment to practice and the process.  2016 was a transformative year for me as both an athlete and person.  From the pressure of establishing myself on a new club team, to leading my team to a championship and performing against nationally ranked teams to the disappointment of getting shut down due to injury at my highest competitive moment.  As great as it was to experience the highest highs last year, in reality I grew so much more from the injury.  Limited to one arm, I doubled my core training, focused on hitting technique and tirelessly took one handed reps.  I even got a few live reps one handed.  The confidence I got from getting hits one handed at the travel level, combined with the strength and mechanical improvement from the extra drills has improved my hitting exponentially.  Perhaps the biggest lesson was learned when a big time D1 school invited me for a visit last Summer after watching me get 2 hits off a pitcher they were scouting and about to commit.  It was just a local game and I never expected anyone to be at there, but approaching every game, no matter how important, as the most important game prepared me to perform at the highest level in an unexpected moment.  When I land with my college team, the coaches and players will be able to trust that I will do whatever it takes to perform at the highest level, no matter how important or unimportant that single practice or game might be and that my commitment to them and the program will be second to none.