Michael Battista

Michael Battista, a two-time NCAA qualifier who wrestled for the Virginia wrestling program from 2017-2023, rejoined the program as an assistant coach prior to the 2025-26 season.

Battista qualified for the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Championships, earning an automatic bid at 184 pounds each season through his performance at the ACC Championships. He posted 72 wins over his career, including a 27-12 record in his final season with the Hoos that included multiple wins over nationally-ranked opponents. He was named ACC Wrestler of the Week in the 2022-23 season after going 4-0 at the Virginia Duals and capping the weekend with a win over No. 11 Jaxon Smith of Maryland.

In freestyle wrestling, Battista took third at the 2021 U23 World Team Trials and then posted a fourth-place finish at the 2022 U.S. Open at 92kg in senior freestyle.

In addition to his success on the mat, Battista was also a standout in the classroom. He was a three-time Scholar All-America honoree from the National Wrestling Coaches Association and a three-time member of the ACC Wrestling All-Academic Team.