GET TO KNOW: Jay Aiello
Jan. 29, 2018
As we continue through the 2017-18 season, members of the Virginia wrestling team took some time to sit down and answer a few questions to provide a little insight and help our fans get to know them better as student-athletes.
Name: Jay Aiello
Major: Economics
Classification: Redshirt Freshman
Weight Class: 197
Hometown: Chantilly, Va.
High School: Westfield
What do you love most about competing as a Virginia Cavalier?
What I love most is that I am competing with a group of guys that are so close were basically a family. We all have a common goal that we share: to compete with a purpose that is greater than just wrestling or winning.
Why did you choose Virginia?
I chose UVA because no other college coach in the country genuinely cares more about his wrestlers than Coach Garland.
What will be your lasting memory of your time as a Virginia Cavalier?
For now, it is the sense of community and mentorship I felt from the fifth-years my first year.
What defines a Cavalier?
Someone who is willing to give everything they have that day – not just for themselves, but for their teammates, coaches and family, too.
Who or what motivates you in your sport?
When I notice/see myself out-working/conditioning others. That is what motivates me.
What are your goals for the season?
Break every single on of my opponents and win a national championship in the process.
Favorite family vacation?
Outer Banks every summer.
Favorite class?
Drama 1010
Favorite breakfast food?
Eggs and Spinach = Breakfast of Champions
Favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers or Hitched
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Any Taylor Swift song.
Teammates would describe you as?
Stupidly funny, hardworker, weird in a good way.
Who is your hero and why?
My hero is my three older brothers. Each one of them role models me in a different way from the other
Name one thing most people probably don’t know about you?
Romantic comedies are my favorite type of movies.
Besides your own sport, what’s a sporting event on Grounds that fans need to experience at least once and why?
Soccer games are a lot fun. The team plays aggressive and it moves fast.
If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
Football- if only I was about 4-5 inches taller.
If you could give any advice to younger athletes entering the sport what would it be?
Just working hard is not enough to get you places in college wrestling. You need to work smart if you want to make real gains.
Nickname (is there a story you can share that goes with it)?
Hodor – guy from game of thrones who is really big and pretty much a space cadet. I kind of fit this role pretty well.
Favorite holiday?
Christmas or Thanksgiving
Favorite TV show?
How I Met Your Mother
What is your biggest fear?
Not achieving the goals I set out for myself.
Dream job?
Not sure yet, but I definitely want to coach wrestling and/or football.
Best Athletic Memory?
Winning state in football my senior year, but hopefully their will be better ones to come.