By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- His determination was on full display as a senior wrestler at Enfield High School in Connecticut during the 2024-25 season.

Disqualified in the final match of his junior season, Ethan Buonanducci (Enfield, Conn.) wanted to make sure nothing stopped him as a senior.

"When I lost that day in the states, the date was Feb. 24th (of 2024)," said Buonanducci. "All the way from Feb. 24 until the end of senior year wrestling, I did not stop wrestling, working out or anything."

The constant work Buonanducci put in paid dividends.

He went 51-0 as a senior, winning the Connecticut state championship at 126 pounds and became Enfield's first New England champion during the regional tournament in Providence, R.I.

Buonanducci has brought that same determination to the Bridgewater State University wrestling team, and five meets into his collegiate career, the freshman business management major is leading the Bears in victories.

Buonanducci is off to a 13-6 start with half of his losses coming to nationally recognized opponents.

He turned in an impressive two-day performance last week at the 54th annual Messiah University Petrofes Invitational in Grantham, Pa., placing third at 133 pounds with a 5-1 record.

Buonanducci's lone loss came against New York University's Jacob Venezia, who took part in the NCAA Division III tournament last winter. Two of Buonanducci's other defeats were against Jake Craig of the University of Southern Maine, a two-time All-American who is 16-1 this season.

In the last New England Wrestling Association rankings released on Nov. 20, Buonanducci was No. 8, and he will likely move up.

All of the hard work and determination that was on display as a senior at Enfield is making Buonanducci a success story so far in his first BSU season.

"I know that same work can happen in college," he said. "I know it can because I did it for a whole straight year non-stop in high school. I was in the garage putting in the work on Thanksgiving day.

"It was a surprise (going 51-0 as a senior), but I busted my butt every single day to reach that goal. Coming to Bridgewater State, I knew I could work with the same ethic to get new goals, just like how I got to be a New England champion. I know I can be a national champ and an All-American with that same work ethic here."

BSU coach Frank Cammisa, who is also from Connecticut, was in touch with Buonanducci during his junior season, and the wrestler visited the school and liked what he saw.

Cammisa recognized the strong work ethic that Buonanducci had, and that is one of the reasons why he was recruited.

"I liked how passionate he was," said Cammisa. "He wasn't the greatest high school wrestler when he started.

"But because of his attitude and drive and how passionate he was, his hard work really paid off and helped him acquire a perfect season and winning New Englands. He's a hard worker."

Buonanducci lost his BSU debut against Southern Maine's Jake Craig, who has been to the NCAAs three years in a row, then placed fifth out of 23 wrestlers at the Roger Williams Invitational.

He won by decision at Western New England and was fourth at the Doug Parker Invitational in Springfield, Mass. before the 5-1 record was posted at the Messiah Petrofes Invitational. Four of the five wins came against wrestlers seeded in the top seven.

Next up is a trip to Bristol, R.I., for the Scott Viera Open at Roger Williams University, then the Bears will be idle until Jan. 10.

"I'd say I'm definitely wrestling a lot more here," said Buonanducci, who is first on the team with 27 takedowns and has two pins. "I was feeling more sore and working way harder here. The work is paying off well.

"I'm a little bit surprised (at being 13-6). A lot of times, we'll go to the meets and coaches will say that if you place here, you'll be ranked. As a freshman, I'm going against wrestlers who have four years under their belts. I'm just putting in the work."

Buonanducci credits his father, Paul, with instilling a strong work ethic into him.

"The hard work definitely comes from my father," he said. "Growing up, I was 13 when I went into the gym. My dad has always pushed me.

"The more hard work you put in, the better. You've got to trust the process. Nothing is going to be given to you. Like my father always says, talent doesn't beat hard work, hard work beats talent. Hard work will always come out on top."

Buonanducci was looking at several Division III schools in the region, and his choice came down to BSU and Rhode Island College.

"When I toured the school here, I really liked the environment of the school and the coaches bought into me," said Buonanducci. "I saw them as a family. Seeing all the records that are here, I was like, I can put myself up on the board breaking records, too.

"At Bridgewater, when I saw the way everyone wrestled, I knew I was going to get better here. The environment here was more like home. Knowing the head coach Frank was also from Connecticut was also good. I think I can make a great impact on the team. As a wrestler, I think coach Frank is going to get me to where I want to be."

Cammisa, the only BSU wrestler to reach the NCAAs all four seasons in his career, knows the future is bright for Buonanducci if the strong work ethic continues.

"If he has the same drive and determination he had in high school, there's no reason that he wouldn't be able to progress just as much in college," said Cammisa. "He's definitely technically strong with room for improvement.

"He's a strong kid and can endure the physicality. He doesn't quit. There's been a few occasions when he's been put in a bad position during a match this season, but he fights his way out."