Often clouded by the thrill of victory on the playing field in collegiate athletics today is the “student” in the term “student-athlete.” Danny and Kyle Artusio, identical twins on the Virginia wrestling team, however, uphold their titles as student-athletes while maintaining positive attitudes and strong work ethics.
“If we are going to put our money where our mouth is and say we value character, they should mean a whole lot to the team because they are two of the most high-character guys I have ever met in my life,” coach Steve Garland said of the Artusios. “I am not talking about guys that I have coached; I am talking about people in general that I have ever met.”
The Artusios are first-year Education School graduate students pursuing their teaching certificates to become high school math teachers. The two brothers began their collegiate careers at Lord Fairfax Community College before coming to the University.
“Wrestling was my biggest interest in high school,” Kyle Artusio said. “I also wanted to go to a good academic school. U.Va. fit both of those so it was a perfect match.”
Danny joined Kyle at Virginia when he was not accepted to James Madison’s music program. While at Virginia, the Artusio brothers have left their mark not only on the mat, but in the classroom and through community service. The two have also been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll two of the last three years, continuing their academic success from their time at James Wood High School in Winchester, Va., where both were named valedictorians.
Outside of the classroom, the brothers are very involved with their church, teaching Sunday school every week, and Kyle is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
While “student” gets lost in the term “student-athlete” for some, it nearly overshadows the “athlete” part for these brothers because they are so involved in their academics and other extracurricular activities. Danny and Kyle — who wrestle at 165 and 157 pounds, respectively — have not posted particularly impressive career records — Danny: 26-21, Kyle: 22-27. However, the brothers’ contributions to the team go beyond wins and losses. The wrestling team awarded Kyle the first John Pegues Character Award last year, which was established to honor a wrestler who was not starting but still showed character and set an example for everyone else, Garland said.
“I personally hope my daughter grows up to be like those two someday,” he said. “I think the world of them.”
As with many sets of identical twins, the brothers have similar tendencies and styles.
“It sounds cliché, but they are both pretty much the same wrestler except that one leads right leg and one leads left leg,” Garland said.
And, as with nearly all identical twins, it is difficult to distinguish between them, but Garland has found a way.
“Their characteristics of how they present themselves are a lot different once you get to know them,” Garland said. “You know immediately it’s Kyle because of the seriousness on his face. Danny, as soon as you see him, he smiles ear to ear.”
Each brother tries to separate himself from the other. Kyle has said he is smarter, taller and better-looking. Danny meanwhile, said he is the better wrestler because he is in the heavier weight class at the moment. The competitive nature of their relationship is not lost on Garland, though he knows the Artusios keep things in perspective.
“They scrap a little bit, but there is a deep love and respect there, too,” Garland said.
Their dedication to others spills over from their personal relationship with each other.
“He is such a big part of my life,” Kyle Artusio said. “I got to take a piece of home with me. It’s hard to say what I would be like without him.”
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