1998-99 Wrestling Outlook
All-New England Wrestler Steve Mulvihill

After posting its best-ever dual-meet season with a record of 18-3, the Trinity College wrestling team, under the direction of Head Coach Sebby Amato (13th season), will have a good core of returning wrestlers, including four All-New England performers, along with some talented newcomers for the 1998-99 season.

Leading the way will be senior co-captains Tim Barrett and Jason Gabriele. Barrett finished third at the New England Championships at 174 pounds and won the Bantams' award for Greatest Team Contribution. Gabriele had an impressive first two seasons, that included taking All-New England honors as a freshman, before being slowed by injuries last year.

Sophomores Mike Marcucio (Rookie of the Year) and Steve Mulvihill both had sensational freshman campaigns, culminating in All-New England and team awards for each. Both placed fourth in their weight class at the New England Championships. Marcucio compiled a 24-5 record at 125 pounds, while Mulvihill was 19-5 at the 198-pound class.

Junior heavyweight Peter Marino leads a long list of experienced veterans at the other weight classes. Marino continues to develop, posting a 20-7 mark last season after going 14-5 in an injury-shortened freshman season. Sophomores Oliver Page, Eric Gibson and Ted Govola all hope to build upon promising freshman seasons. Page and Gibson are slated to wrestle at 157 pounds in 1998-99, and Govola will be a 165-pounder. The trio combined for a 38-31 record at 157 and 165 pounds in their rookie years. Other returning starters include junior 133-pounder Dan Hughes and junior 149-pounder Cory Madera, as well as sophomore Riad deFreitas at 141 pounds. The Bantams also welcome back senior Sean Cooney and junior Michael Lennon, accomplished wrestlers who return to the team this winter after a year's hiatus.

The team's impressive dual record resulted in a #4 ranking in New England Division III, and #8 in the region among all Division I, II and III. The success has already reaped benefits in recruiting as the Bantams have several talented incoming freshmen to go along with 14 returnees.

After finishing in the top seven in the New England College Conference Wrestling Association Championships, the Trinity coaching staff is eager to build on that success in 1998-99. "We have made it to the point where we can compete with anybody at all the weight classes," explains Amato. He adds, "We have two goals this season: to finish in the top three in the New England Conference, and to continue to qualify wrestlers for Nationals, something we've done six times in the last seven seasons."