Wrestling returns with a new coach

After an extensive search for a new wrestling coach, the void has been filled. John Hartupee, a recent Division 1 head coach for 13 seasons from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Penn., will take over as wrestling head coach with "high expectations for a successful year," according to the Norwich director of athletics.

Hartupee "provides student/athletes with guidance and a positive experience in order to be successful," said Tony Mariano, athletic director.

Hartupee was a three-time Michigan high school champion as well as a two-time high school All-American. He was a Junior Olympics National Champion and a Junior World National Champion as a 118-pounder in college.

Hartupee was a two-time Mid-American Conference champion, a NCAA runner-up and an All-American.

After college he was a two-time AAU Senior National Champion, a Canadian Senior National Champion, a first alternate for the 1980 United States Olympic Team and was a member of the U.S. National Team. Most recently, he was a 1993 Masters World Champion.

Mariano said he believes he hired a great coach, "that can provide new ideas and great leadership to guide his squad not only to a regional meet, but hopefully a national appearance in the years to come."

"In order to be successful the team has to combine hard work with smart work, and also come prepared with a positive attitude not just individually but as a whole," said Hartupee. "With a squad of close to 30 freshmen, the off-season training has been really upbeat, the kids have been working hard and training hard," he said.

The team struggled last year with a dual meet record of 4 and 8. It placed last at the All Academy Championships at Navy and at the New England Championships at WNEC.

Assistant Coach Alex Whitney, a four-year wrestler at Norwich from Amherst, N.H., is "overjoyed with the team's attitude and the substantial amount of effort the team has put in so far."

He holds high standards for his amateur team, and said he is quite honored to have such a great coach by his side.

Returning wrestler Matt Dittola, a 20-year-old junior criminal justice major from Nashua, N.H., states that he has "great expectations for his team, and coach Hartupee brings a lot of knowledge to the table."

Teammate August Nommik, a 20-year-old junior engineering major from Lyndon, Vt., said the team needs more "enthusiasm" this year and the new coach "really knows his stuff and is a breath of fresh air to this program."

The first match is at Roger Williams, Saturday Oct. 30, at 2 p.m.