Athlete Spotlight: James Wood Wrestler Matthew Papastavrou

Posted: January 26, 2016

Matthew Papastavrou
James Wood High School 16-year-old junior

Sport: Wrestling Position: 138 pounds

Parents: Kirk & Fawn Papastavrou. Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C. (moved to Winchester at age 5).

What do you love about wrestling: I just love that it’s a one-on-one sport. There’s no excuses. It’s just you and the other person out on the mat.

Most memorable moment in wrestling: I won the Berkeley Springs Tournament this year. It was the first varsity tournament I’ve ever won. I was 6-0 with six pins.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Thomas Edison because he never gave up on his ideas and he was doing what he wanted to do; John F. Kennedy because he was so influential at such a young age and Abraham Lincoln because of how much he did for our country.

If you were stranded on an island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you: A fishing pole because I love to fish and it would be a good way to get some food.

Favorite teacher: Miss [Kim] Ringwald, my marketing teacher and DECA sponsor. She’s done so much to help me.

Favorite athlete: Alex Ovechkin

Favorite team: Washington Capitals

Best live sporting event you’ve been to: The Detroit Red Wings vs. the Colorado Avalanche at Joe Louis Arena. I played a hockey game (in a tournament) in that same arena earlier in the day.

Favorite movie: “Warrior”

Favorite book: “Jarhead” by Anthony Swofford

Favorite song: “Juicy” by The Notorius B.I.G.

Plans after high school: I plan to go a four-year college or join the military. I’d like to go into marketing or the medical field. Those are two fields that have always been there. I’m interested in the service because it’s such a good opportunity and a career someone can do for 20 years. I’d probably choose the Air Force or the Navy.

— Compiled by Walt Moody