2012-2013 Southern Maine Preview

University of Southern Maine Huskies (Northeast Region)
Head Coach: Joseph Pistone
Years at School as head coach: 10
Career Record at school: 71-74
Assistant Coaches: Julio Santiago 8 years, Mike Morin 3 years, Billy Cole 1 year, Cinjin Goewey 1st year, Ben Garelick strength and conditioning coach 1 year

Facebook: Southern Maine Wrestling

2011-2012 Dual Meet Record: 15-7

Top returning starters with accomplishments:
149 Peter Gilman 5th NEWA 10′
157 Logan Russell 5th NEWA 12′
HWT Dan Suarez 6th NEWA 12′

Top incoming wrestlers:
149 Joseph Page (NH) 2x New Hampshire All State Champion
157/165 Anthony Pistone (NY) 2nd Section 11, New York State Place winner (6th)
174 Matthew Harding (MA) 2x MA State Place winner, Sectional Champion

Season outlook:
Southern Maine had a nice record last season and set a program best for dual meet wins. A trio of NEWA placewinners are back to contest the new Northeast Region and try to get Southern Maine back to the NCAA Championships in 2013. Logan Russell and Dan Suarez placed last year while Peter Gilman placed in 2010 but missed last year. The Huskies bring back some experience and could put a line up with almost all returning wrestlers on the mat in 2012-2013. There are some talented newcomers, however, led by New York placewinner Anthony Pistone who will be gunning for the 165 spot. Several other new state placewinners will also vie for starting jobs. A team record for wins paired with a tenth place conference tournament finish shows a balanced team that did not have as much top level talent as some past USM teams, but Head Coach Joseph Pistone will look to keep the depth while getting a wrestler or two on to the final weekend.