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DECEMBER 2023 25 ranked nationally in their weight classes and in the starting lineup for the Hoos this season. As the twins have navigated the early stages of their collegiate careers, they've been able to rely on the coaching staff for more than just instruction on the mat. Garland is a twin, and two other members of the staff, associ- ate head coach Travis Paulson and assistant coach Trent Paulson, are also twin brothers. "I think they understand us better, obvi- ously, since they are twins themselves," Mi- chael said. "Trent and Travis are really close and competitive, and I can relate to them because I see how competitive they are but how they push each other and themselves as coaches. I hear how they talk about their wrestling careers and it's very similar." "Having a twin as a teammate is a cheat code," assistant coach Trent Paulson said. "You've got someone that knows you inside and out, what buttons to push to get the most out of you. Helps that at the end of the day, it's from a place of love. "On the flip side, we have to limit the amount of times we can allow them to go live with one another. Both have a high desire to be alphas and successful. They're so competitive with one another that they'd rather break their arm, then give up a take- down to the other." Despite the potential drawbacks that can exist with two people so close in a competi- tive environment, the Gioffre brothers are also quick to point out that they have found distinct benefits as well. "It's definitely an advantage, especially in a one-on-one sport like wrestling," Michael said of having his brother on the team with him. "Having someone your age and your size your whole life being able to push you and push each other. We don't let each other give up. We expect the best from each other." "He can say anything at the end of the day, whether I like it or not, and I know it's the truth and what I need to hear," Jack echoed. "If someone else comes up and says those things it's easy to brush off and not listen, but when your twin brother comes to you at the end of the day and is brutally honest, that's an advantage. "He's brutally honest and it opens you up to the reality of things. Michael will tell me what I did wrong or need to do differently and I know it's out of love and will help me at the end of the day. It's an advantage being together." And while they may be twins, their ap- proach to competition and world views are very distinct. One of the areas it's been a boost having his brother around is when Jack has to meet weight requirements. As the brother who has to cut more weight for competition, he said Mi- chael helps keep him on the straight and nar- row and is the first to hold him accountable. "He sharpens my mindset on working harder, cutting weight and staying dialed in on everything," Jack said. "It's been a turn- ing point in my training and my wrestling." Michael looks to Jack's actions and com- petitive approach on the mat. "I definitely try to build off Jack's hard work," Michael said. "I'm more of a thinker and overthink things a lot. Jack isn't much of an overthinker, and he just goes. Sometimes I watch him and how he does things and try to learn from that. How to stop overthinking, just go hard, be grateful and everything will be all right. It's wrestling and just have fun. "How he carries himself is something I've learned a lot from, and it's helped me." Jack came to UVA as the No. 57-ranked recruit overall nationally and the seventh-ranked prospect at 132 pounds in the country. (Photo courtesy UVA)