CRETEIL, France -- When he started wrestling at age five, Monticello Minn., native Sgt. Donavan Depatto didn’t know that one day he would be traveling the world to compete in the sport he loves.
As a member of the United States Marine Corps’ All Marine Wrestling Team, Depatto , 23, traveled to Creteil, France on Jan. 25, to compete in the Cristo Lutte International Invitational, an annual wrestling tournament featuring world-class competitors from more than 14 countries.
“A lot of people only dream of being able to visit some of the places I have been,” said Depatto, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. “I’m living my dreams, and it makes me proud to be able to represent my country and the Marine Corps through wrestling.”
A heavy equipment operator by trade, Depatto has been wrestling for the Marine team since 2004. With 18 years of wrestling experience, Depatto said his family ties are what drew him to the sport at such a young age.
“I got into wrestling because my dad, his dad, my uncles and a lot of my friends were all wrestlers,” Depatto said.
“Wrestling is huge in my family and in the area where I grew up, so it just came natural.”
After high school however, the four-time medalist in the Minnesota State High School League’s state wrestling championship faced a dilemma; pursue wrestling at the collegiate level or answer a higher calling? Depatto said he knew he had some maturing to do after high school and looked to the Marine Corps as a stepping stone to prepare him for success in life.
In October of 2002, he packed his bags and headed out to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to begin the transformation of becoming a United States Marine. Depatto knew that the All Marine Wrestling Team was an option from the beginning, but said regardless of wrestling opportunities he wanted to earn the title, United States Marine.
After completing recruit and combat training, he reported for duty at Heavy Equipment Operators School in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., where he was trained and licensed to operate various types of heavy equipment.
His first assignment in the Fleet Marine Force was at 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. It was here, in 2004, that Depatto began his journey to wrestle for Marine Corps.
“I submitted my resume to be reviewed along with all other applicants in the Marine Corps,” Depatto said. “After my resume was approved and my command gave me their consent, I went to trial camp.”
During the try outs, Depatto was selected from a group of about 40 Marines to fill one of four vacant spots on the 14-member All Marine team.
Depatto describes his time on the team as an up and down experience. With physically taxing training, weight management, and injuries on one side—Depatto said the thrill of competing, the camaraderie built with teammates and the overall experience of traveling as a representative of the United States and the Marine Corps makes up for it all.
“When you are up it’s never as good as it seems, when your down you feel like you’ll never be up again,” Depatto said.
“But life will go on; you just have to be mentally tough.”
Although a member of the All Marine Wrestling Team, Depatto still remains focused on his career in the Marine Corps. In 2005, he deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom with his unit for an eight-month tour in Iraq’s Al Anbar province.
“A lot of people get the misconception that all we do is wrestle,” Depatto said. “Even though we are on the team, we still maintain all of the standards that are expected of Marines.”
For Depatto, wrestling has always been an important part of his life. He said that the character traits that make a good wrestler—dedication, perseverance, and a little bit of brute force in addition to others—are also vital to being a good Marine.
Although Depatto didn’t advance to the medal round at the Cristo Lutte tournament, he said that the experienced gained by on these types of trips is invaluable to wrestlers who wish to succeed at an international level.
“Being able to compete overseas is amazing,” Depatto said.
“A lot of guys only dream about competing at this level and here I am living that dream.”
In the wake of the Cristo Lutte tournament, Depatto has returned to the United States to prepare for his next competition, the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Co., on Feb. 7.