2019 KeystoneFootballRecruits.com Player Profiles Day 82: Nino Cinti Jr. 2020•James M Coughlin•WR @CintNino @WbaWolfpack
Tagged under: District 2, News, Player Previews, Recruiting
Billy Splain | June 1, 2019
Who is your favorite sports star and why?
Nico Megaludis – 3 time Pa. state champion in wrestling, 4x NCAA all american and 2016 national champion at Penn State. Probably not your typical answer when asking this question. It’s a football page and I chose a wrestler but here is why. Nico lost one match in high school, it was the state final his freshman year. He never lost again in high school…He won his national championship he senior year at PSU at 125lbs. the lightest weight class. Nico isn’t a giant in terms of stature but he has a giant heart and an even bigger will to compete and win. I’m not a giant by any means either so I know the feeling…height, weight, 40 time. they all look good on paper. However heart wins on the field everytime and that is what i have more of than anyone, that is what Nico Megaludis has. HEART
Why do you play football?
I was born to be a football player (literally). My father played at division 1AA Saint Francis, Pa. until an injury ended his career. He started coaching when he was 24 years and has coached me every year since I was 5. My dad’s older brother (my uncle obviously lol) was his position coach in high school and has been the head coach at my high school for the past 13 years. My uncle was honorable mention all state in 1983 for Coughlin High School and went to play at Lycoming, he was on the 1986 team (I think that was the year) when Lyco went undefeated in the MAC and made the division III playoffs. My dad had me as waterboy and team mascot for the Plains Yankees mini football organization when I was 1 year old. As soon as I could walk and hold my head up I had a helmet on. I love the sport cause of the team aspect. My father and uncle really instilled that in me. I don’t care about my stats, I care that after 4 quarters my team is on the winning end. If I have 10 tackles or 2 it doesn’t matter, if I did everything I could to make sure we won that is what it is all about to me. I play football cause of the memories I’ll have when I’m older, nothing like sitting around telling stories about the glory days. Also my dad never forced it on me. He always made it known that if I don’t want to play I didn’t have to. That actually made me love it more, knowing how much the game means to him yet him allowing me to make my own choices about it resonated with me. It really spoke volumes to me as to what the game of football is all about. I play football because it is who I am, I am a football player through and through. This sport isn’t for everyone, if it was then soccer wouldn’t exist…(one of my dad’s quotes lol)
What sports movie would you watch every day if you had to pick one and why?
Friday night lights…when I was younger playing mini football we would watch a football movie the night before every game. One week “the waterboy”, one week “gridiron gang” one week “the longest yard” one week “remember the titans”. For some reason the weeks we watched Friday night lights always stuck with me. I think it’s because of the way my dad would talk about high school football and how if were out somewhere and he would run into teammates they would talk and laugh like kids again. I want that high school experience and memories
What cartoon character do you think your head coach most resembles.
The Tasmanian Devil…not appearance wise but attitude wise lol, he can snap and flip at any moment and it’s like a tornado came through. Plus when he gets really mad he kind of mumbles under his breath and you cant understand him lol
If your mom and dad are screaming at you from the stands, what is it they usually yell?
My mom really doesn’t yell that much she just kind of makes gestures and prays i don’t get hurt…
My dad is always coaching on the sidelines and never really yells at me, after the game i get the 2 hour dissertation about what i did wrong
What is your most embarrassing sports moment?
This past wrestling season, my junior year. I felt kind of crappy before the meet and my stomach was bothering me. I chose bottom to start the 3rd period I think i was up by like 6 or 8. when i reversed the kid i threw up on the mat lol. my coach had to clean it up and then i went on to pin the kid. guess i just had to get it out
Is there anyone in your family, besides your parents, you could consider your biggest fan? Who, Why?
Definitely my Nonno (grandfather) my dad’s dad. He is at every game he is 82 years old and would kick the crap out of any person i know. He is tough as nails but has a soft spot for his grandkids. He always tells me I don’t care if you make a mistake just play tough. He always tells me he doesn’t care how small I am cause he knows I have more balls than anyone on that field.
When you aren’t playing, practicing or training for sports, what is your go to activity and why?
I like sneaker shopping. I’m definitely a sneaker head lol.
Other Sports
wrestling
2x district medalist
AAA regional qualifier
Stats
junior year
6 catches 138 yds
18 KO returns 318 yds
defense
63 tackles
7 pass breakups
2 forced fumbles
1 sack
3 tackles for loss
Accolades and Awards
team unsung hero junior year
2nd team all academic conference
wrestling
freshman of the year 2016
sophmore of the year 2017
outstanding junior 2018
MAWA all american freshman year 8th place finish
Jersey Number 2
Primary Position WR
Height 5’9″
Secondary Position S
Weight 140
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