New coach hired for wrestling program
New wrestling head coach Mike Mazza spots senior Eric Ashton during an off-season workout. Mazza has been a wrestling coach for 17 years, four of which were spent as the head coach at Harford Technical High School.
For the third time in three years, the wrestling program will be getting a new coach. Mike Mazza has been hired to be the new head coach of the wrestling program.
Mazza hopes that by building off of the program’s previous great success, the team will be ranked number one in the state and within the top 20 of the country by the end of their season.
In addition to developing the team’s skill, Mazza seeks to improve each player as an individual. “[I want to] work to ensure [that] every individual improves from last season. [I want to] develop a plan for each wrestler that focuses on their individual needs based on their wrestling style and size,” Mazza said.
No changes have been made to program yet, but the team has already started pre-season training. Mazza wants to access the team and set goals early in the season and have the players work on their individual goals throughout the season.
Mazza started wrestling in third grade and played throughout high school and college. At North East High School, Mazza set the record for the most wins of any wrestler, and at Lock Haven University he received several different awards. Two of the awards were the “Coaches Award” and the “Fan Appreciation Award.”
Before coming to JC, Mazza was the head wrestling coach at Harford Tech High School for four years, and was the assistant coach at Joppatowne High School for one year in 2001. Mazza has been a wrestling coach for over 18 years. Mazza hopes to maintain the position at JC.
In addition to coaching, Mazza served in the United States Army and was stationed in several countries including Germany, where he coached a team for two years.
“I’m honored to lead a team who has established themselves as a powerhouse in the wrestling community over the last ten years. I’m excited to work with a great group of coaches, wrestlers, and administrators that wants to continue to build both the John Carroll High School and junior programs,” Mazza said.
Returning senior William Molali met Mazza in the off-season and is excited to see what the program will look like this year. “He looks like he’s going to be good for the big guys. I don’t know what his style is like, but I think he will be a good fit for JC,” said Molali.
The team’s first match will take place on Nov. 21.
Anna Sullivan is an Entertainment Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.