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Lehigh a perfect match for
Pirozzola
By TOM
WARING
Courier Times
E-mail
Michael Pirozzola could have gone nearly
anywhere.
In the end, he chose to
wrestle close to home.
Pirozzola, Neshaminy High School's heavily
recruited senior, has decided to take his
considerable talents next season to Lehigh
University in Bethlehem.
"I'm excited to be staying close," said
Pirozzola.
Pirozzola made an official visit to Lehigh last
month. At the time, Princeton, Penn and North
Carolina remained in the running, too.
That was until Friday, when Pirozzola returned
to Lehigh's campus to speak with a member of the
school's admissions office.
"I really liked it. With the wrestling, the
academics and the money, Lehigh was the best,"
Pirozzola said.
Lehigh coach Greg Strobel offered Pirozzola a 75
percent athletic scholarship for his first year.
The amount of the scholarship for the remaining
years will be determined.
That was enough to convince Pirozzola to sign a
letter of intent to wrestle for the Engineers.
He'll be able to wrestle for four years within a
relatively short drive for family and friends.
At Lehigh, Pirozzola plans to major in business.
After graduating, he plans to attend law school,
with a goal of becoming a corporate attorney.
In addition to attending a fine academic school
that's close to home, Pirozzola will be joining a
wrestling program that boasts a rich tradition.
Lehigh has produced numerous All-Americans and
24 NCAA champions, to rank fifth among all schools.
Furthermore, Pirozzola likes Strobel and his
staff, as well as the facilities.
"It's a great program to be in," he said. "I
think I'm going to like it."
Pirozzola, who will wrestle at 149 pounds in
college, plans to red-shirt as a freshman. He'll do
so because Lehigh will have two excellent
wrestlers, Dave Esposito and Ryan Bernholz, at 149
and 157 pounds next year. Pirozzola is looking
forward to improving by practicing with the pair.
Once Pirozzola establishes himself in the
lineup, he'll set lofty goals.
"I want to be a multi-time national champ," he
said.
In March, Pirozzola will try to become a
multi-time state champ. After finishing second at
the PIAA Class AAA championships as a freshman and
sophomore, he went 36-0 last season to win the
140-pound state title.
He pinned three of his four opponents en route
to the Outstanding Wrestler award.
Wrestling isn't the only sport in which
Pirozzola excels. He overcame a summer rib injury
to play a key role on Neshaminy's soccer team this
fall. A starting defender, Pirozzola helped the
Redskins capture the District One Class AAA
championship.
As the wrestling season nears, Pirozzola has
plenty of goals. Of course, he'd like to go
unbeaten again and win another state championship,
this time at 145 pounds. But, he'd also like to pin
as many opponents as possible.
At present, Pirozzola is 105-6 with 79 falls.
The area record for victories is 134, held by
former Council Rock star Scott Stay.
While Pirozzola has accomplished plenty on a
personal level, one achievement has eluded him. His
Neshaminy Redskins have been unable to beat out
Council Rock for the Suburban One League Patriot
Division title. He wants to enjoy some team glory,
like in soccer.
"I hope a lot of the guys mature and grow this
year because it's always good to be part of a team
that does well," he said.
Wednesday, November 17, 1999
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