Senior wrestler, Michael Bobola, has been a star on the
mat since he started competing in the Francis Xavier Division
at Xaverian. Wrestling at the varsity level since eighth grade, he
earned Catholic Conference All-Star before even hitting high
school (which he’s now earned four times over), has three-times
been a Division-1 state medalist, placed 3rd in New England,
and is a multiple-time National Tournament All-American.
Now he’s headed into the final season of his Xaverian career
with a new title under his belt. Michael finished 1st in the
USA Wrestling Pre-Season Nationals in Iowa this October,
competing against a field of 66 wrestlers for his 152-pound
weight class. Coming off this big win, Michael says he’s ready
for what’s in store for his senior season.
“I’m excited for my final high school season. My goals are
to train to get better each day and win the New England title.”
And he’s got a solid shot at earning it, especially with his level
of focus and commitment. “I am focused on getting 1% better
each day. There is always something to improve - technique,
mindset, strength, flexibility, diet. I believe small steps over
time add up to big leaps.”
“Wrestling builds character and develops humility,” he
says. “Wrestling is life. It teaches you about hard work and
perseverance both on and off the mat. If you work hard
and continue to improve at anything, you will get results.
Sometimes it is difficult to enjoy the process, but that’s
where I’ve grown as a wrestler and person. I am
starting to love the process and love the grind.
Everyone loves to win, get their hand raised,
and win a national title, but very few are
willing to put the extra time in and seek the
hard practices and extra workouts.”
As he enters his final high school
season, he’s savoring the moments as
they come and planning to leave it all
on the mat. “I know it’s going to go by
so fast and I only get this chance one
more time. I wrestle every match like
it’s my last because you never know
when your career is going to end. I don’t
want any regrets. When I’m done, no matter
what the outcome is, I want to know I gave it
everything I’ve got.”
LOVING THE PROCESS
Michael Bobola ’22 Leaves it All on the Mat
When a student athlete makes JV in grade
7 and varsity in grade 8, and then earns the
title of Catholic Conference Champion by
freshman year, you know you’ve got a real talent
on your hands. That’s Joey Lenane, a senior
Xaverian golfer who just wrapped up his career
as the top high school player in New England,
shooting a 2-under par 70 at the New England
Championships this October. The competition
brought together the top 12 players of each New
England state, and Joey was the only golfer to
finish under par in the 72-person event at the
Mohegan Sun Golf Course.
It all began when he was eight years old
and, as he says, “bored.” He went out into his
backyard and started hitting golf balls. On his
ninth birthday, he received a set of clubs and
began visiting the driving range. He’s progressed
from there to now daily training, whether that’s
hitting at home, at the range, or on the course.
As a member of Xaverian’s Division-1 varsity golf
team and also competing independently, Joey has
made a name for himself. He helped the Hawks
PAR FOR THE COURSE
Joey Lenane ’22 Finishes High School Career with New England Championship Win
to a State Championship in 2018 and a Catholic
Conference Championship in 2020 (there were
no States due to COVID-19). Joey and the varsity
Hawks won the South Sectional title in both 2019
and 2021, and he won the Catholic Conference
tournament individual championships in both
2018 and 2019. He’s scored top finishes this
fall competing as a junior, winning the Tarlow
Invitational shooting 6 under par, and finishing
in the top 10 at the Bobby Chapman Junior
Invitational. While States didn’t go as planned
with the team finishing in 3rd, he was grateful
for the opportunity to compete at New Englands
as an individual.
“I didn’t do great at States this year,” he
says. “I ended up three behind the medalist for
the individual title, and we lost by three to St.
John’s Prep for the team championship. That
was tough. I felt like we had a good chance of
winning this year; we just didn’t really piece it
together when it mattered. But it was a good
season; it was fun. And winning New Englands
was a really nice way to go out, a nice way to
end my high school career.”
As he closes out his time as a Hawk, Joey
looks forward to joining the Wolfpack at D1
North Carolina State next year.
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