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CLEVELAND - Marc-Anthony McGowan’s run to the NCAA 125-pound final might be the spark that ignites the Princeton University wrestling team back to national prominence.
Princeton’s third-year coach Joe Dubuque looked at McGowan’s second-place finish as a result that could invigorate a program which was already looking up after some challenges the last few years.
The Tigers won just four matches this season but saw five of their potential starters - including McGowan - suffer injuries that kept them out for extended time.
They also lost several close matches including one on a controversial thrown headgear call. The two previous seasons when the Tigers finished around .500, several assistant coaches left either before or during the season, leaving Dubuque’s staff short-handed as he tried to replace the greatest senior class in school history that graduated in 2023.
But looking at next season, the Tigers should be one of the country’s most improved teams.
They return nine of their 10 starters - with heavyweight Sebastian Garibaldi the only wrestler to move on.
In addition to McGowan, freshman Matthew Martino (141 pounds), juniors Eligh Rivera (149) and Ty Whalen (165) and sophomore Holden Garcia (174) were all national qualifiers this season.
Princeton will also welcome back former national qualifier Kohl Muhlhauser (197) and Tyler Vazquez (157) from season-ending injuries.
Vincenzo LaValle, a multiple-time New Jersey state finalist, is in greyshirt but should be an impact wrestler at 184 pounds. The Tigers also have a strong incoming recruiting class including Faith Christian (Pa.) heavyweight Mark Effendian, who could jump right into the lineup, and New Jersey state champion Joey Canova. Two-time Delran third-place finisher Jackson Weller and Blair standout Vince Anello are already committed for 2027.
“I feel really good, man. I feel really good,” said Dubuque. “We’re revamping the culture, we’re getting guys who love wrestling and love Princeton. We just got little tastes of success. They see what Marc-Anthony had this weekend, and they’re going to want a taste of that. We’re moving in the right direction. It’s great momentum for our program, for recruiting and for next season we’re excited.”
When McGowan was asked after his semifinal win what it meant to be a Princeton wrestler, gave a rousing endorsement of the program.
“Princeton isn’t known for having the wrestling success that some other schools that recruited me like Penn State and Iowa have, people were telling me I was stupid for going here,“ said McGowan. ”First of all, even if the program was absolutely terrible and had no wrestling success, the opportunities this school can provide for you are limitless. It’s the No. 1 school in the country.
“I stepped in the room, saw the environment, saw the guys in there. Joe Dubuque is a big reason I came, and I knew I could win a national title here. After my performance last year (going 1-2), people were talking I would go in the transfer portal, and I said no way. I know I can win it with it with them, they’ll win it with me.”
When Brett Harner became Princeton’s first All-American in 2016, it was a jumping off point for a once-downtrodden program that was on its way to becoming a national power under coach Chris Ayres.
Four years later, the Tigers defeated Cornell and Rutgers – ending the Big Red’s 18-year conference unbeaten streak and also topped Rutgers for the first time in three decades.
Matt Kolodzik and Pat Glory became four-time All-Americans, Glory and Quincy Monday reached national finals and Glory won a national title.
A long-time assistant with the Tigers, Dubuque took over the program three years ago from Ayres, who departed for Stanford. This weekend, Ayres was named Coach of the Tournament after leading the Cardinal to a sixth-place finish with a national champion and three other All-Americans.
But while he is enjoying life in California and turning another program into a national power, he took time to note that he sees Princeton is on the way back.
“(Dubuque) needed a jolt, that’ll do it right there,” said Ayres of McGowan reaching the national final. “It’s like when Brett Harner was an All-American for us. It’s like ‘Oh, there’s a guy here who can do this.’ Joe will use that effectively and Princeton will be back.
“This year was kind of funny. They lost some duals because of some crazy stuff. They’re going to be good, no doubt.”
MORE RUTGERS COVERAGE
- This Rutgers team just reached back-to-back NCAA Championships for 1st time in decades
- 5 years ago, this NCAA wrestling program was nearly canceled; N.J. coach led it to Top 6 national finish
- Boos rain down as Princeton’s Marc-Anthony McGowan loses NCAA wrestling final on stall: ‘It was just bad’
- Upsets rock NCAA Wrestling Championships including N.J. native, PSU undefeated No. 1 seed losing in OT
- N.J. native becomes three-time NCAA Wrestling All-American, wants to ‘wrestle until I’m 50 or 60′
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