Paul Mauriello stepped down as Overbrook’s head wrestling coach in 2001 after compiling a 374-221-6 record in 35 years at the helm. Twenty-two years later as an assistant at Hammonton, he’s still a force in the sport.
“I enjoy working with the young people, it’s still rewarding. I’ve been coaching since 1964, and as far as I’m concerned, although rules have changed, the level of competition is still very good,” Paul Mauriello said.
Mauriello left head coaching 22 years ago – sometimes it doesn’t seem that long – but he assures that his legacy is continued by his son, David Mauriello, who’s been the head coach at Hammonton since 2007.
David Mauriello is also nearing his father in wins. He recently reached 300-wins last year and needs 60 more to pass his father.
“It’s awesome to have my dad coach with me. I’d be lost without him. I would like to say he’s been a part of 700 wins now, and that’s the way I like to look at it,” David Mauriello said.
Dave Mauriello made it clear that it’s the combination of the both of them that has made the Hammonton wrestling program successful over the past several years.
“It’s not a competition, because who knows if I’ll even last that long to get to that level," - D. Mauriello added.
WRESTLING:
60 years, 700+ wins of coaching in one picture.
Father-son duo Paul and David Mauriello are still going strong.@HHSdevilsports @HHSDevilsFB @HammHSBoysTrack @HammontonFH pic.twitter.com/1BXWbzIdcD
— Brian Tortella (@tortreports) December 28, 2023
When asked what it means to return to the place it all started (Overbrook) for the Overbrook Holiday Wrestling tournament on Thursday, Paul replied;
“It’s enjoyable. I get to see a lot of my old wrestlers and students. That is what’s so great about the sport of wrestling. You compete hard, and you gain a friend for life. Opponents are opponents when you’re competing, and then you’re friends for life. That’s the way it is. It’s a lifetime experience.”
@HHSdevilsports Paul Mauriello (left, sitting) alongside son David Mauriello (right standing) clapping after winning match. pic.twitter.com/PwAFKUbZ61
— Brian Tortella (@tortreports) December 28, 2023
Paul and David Mauriello represent what a true “lifetime experience” means. The true example of South Jersey wrestling roots being passed down from generation to generation. The father-son pair with 300+ wins each in the tough sport that wrestling is? It’s just simply amazing to see for the sport, and South Jersey Wrestling all together.
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