Wrestling with life’s lessons
By HILARY BENTMAN
The Intelligencer
Travis Manion learned some of life’s greatest lessons while pinned to the floor.
He learned what it means to sacrifice and suffer setbacks, and what it takes to get back up and win.
“You may never be big enough to play football or fast enough to run track, “but any size and shape can wrestle, if you put in the work to be successful, said Manion.
These are lessons essential for any competitive wrestler. But Manion is also preparing for a battle of a different kind.
Today, the 24-year-old Doylestown man, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps living in Quantico, Va., undergoing training and preparing for the day when he might be sent to Iraq.
“You work through the hardships and (you can) be successful, whether it’s on the wrestling mat or in battle, “he said. “(Wrestling) lays the foundation for what it takes to be a good officer.”
Manion recently took the time to teach other young wrestlers a few things he’s picked up along the way about the sport. While home on leave for Christmas, he spent a night coaching members of the CB Raiders Wrestling program – an organization he once belonged to – at their wrestling clinic.
He gave them pointers on the mat and answered their questions about life in the Marines.
Returning to the Raiders was like going home again for Manion. He wrestled for the organization from 1991 to 1995, having caught the wrestling bug from watching his uncle, Chris compete at state matches.
Manion attended Holicong Middle School and went on to wrestle at LaSalle College High School in Wyndmoor, where he also played football and lacrosse. In 1999, when it came to applying for college, there was only one place Manion wanted to go – the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Military is in his blood. His father is a Marine reservist, and he has a couple of uncles in the armed forces.
“With his college applications, it was like pulling teeth. He only wanted to apply to the Naval Academy, “said his mother, Janet.
Manion spent four years wrestling for Navy. His resume carries several notes of exception – a three-time Catholic League champion in high school and a 2004 preseason national top 20 wrestler in college. A shoulder injury ended his season and three surgeries later he is still recuperating.
When asked his greatest wrestling success, Manion replies: “Learning the stuff I learned from those coaches. It made me who I am as a person. (They) talk about giving yourself to others and helping out.”
That’s the kind of person Manion is – humble, says his mother. “That’s the growth in Travis, (helping others), “she said. “He was never a selfish person, but ‘I don’t have the time’ (is now) ‘I’ll make the time.’ “
Upon completing his studies at the Naval Academy, Manion decided to join the Marines.
He’s a second lieutenant now and knows that by next fall he’ll be with a unit and he could be deployed to Iraq. “Pretty much everybody is getting sent now, “he says.
But even with casualty reports pouring in from the front lines, including the recent bombing at a military base that killed 22 people, Manion says, “if anyone is prepared to do the job it is the Marine. You can’t be too worried.”
Manion’s mom knows Iraq could be in her son’s future but takes comfort in the fact that he believes in what he is doing.
“He told me just a little while ago, he said, ‘I don’t want you to cry for me.’ I’m sure I’ll cry but I’ll be strong for him, “said Janet. “It’s hard for a mom.”
Manion is committed to serving five years in the Marines. Whether he’ll make the Marine Corps his career is uncertain.
“Who knows? I love it, “he said. “You take it a little at a time.”
Hilary Bentman can be reached at (215) 538-6380 or [email protected].
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