New York Star Mia Macaluso Heading to East Stroudburg
Macaluso was the 2019 Cadet Pan Am Champion. Photo courtesy of Venom Girls Wrestling Club.
by Matt Diano
Diano is a guest columnist for AWW.
MINISINK VALLEY, NY - Congratulations to the first family of Empire State Women's Wrestling on today's announcement. One of the most decorated young ladies ever to grace us with her presence on the mats, Mia Macaluso, has been a champion on every level and in every style!
Highlighted by a breakout campaign in 2018 that witnessed her claim Cadet/16U National crowns in both folkstyle (USMC Girls Nationals) and freestyle (Fargo), the three-sport star from Minisink Valley has been a mainstay on the podium at every major domestic national tournament.
A three-time age group All-American under the Dome, in addition to her aforementioned stop sign in 2018, the future Lady Warrior has also posted FS finishes of 3rd (Cadet 2017) and 4th (2019 Junior) in other appearances.
While she may still be seeking her first world team berth, the Venom Girls Wrestling Club product has repeatedly put herself in the conversation, finishing 3rd at the UWW Cadet Trials in 2018, before compiling a 9-3 overall record en route to being the Cadet runner-up and the Junior true-2nd at the 2019 trials.
By virtue of her strong performance in Texas last May, Macaluso was afforded the opportunity to represent the Red, White, and Blue at both the Cadet and Junior Pan-American Championships last June. Splitting her four matches in Guatemala City, she brought home a bronze medal at Juniors. A little over three weeks later, Mia Mac took no prisoners in Morelia, Mexico, sweeping her five bouts (4 pins + 1 TF) to seize Cadet gold. In recognition of her domination, she was awarded the Golden Boot, signifying her as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Macaluso has also thrived in the folkstyle discipline, finishing 3rd at the 2017 Super 32 tournament, winning the previously referenced USMC Cadet Gold in 2018, winning a NHSCA National title in March of 2019, and then finishing as the USMC National runner-up in the Jr. division this past May.
Before departing for PA next fall to join head coach Anibal Nieves's program, Macaluso has some unfinished business on the scholastic scene. Having already claimed a Section IX title in soccer, she will attempt the rare triple-crown, winning a team title in all three seasons of her swan song. As defending champs who are returning almost their entire line-up, MV are regarded as heavy favorites in wrestling. This leaves just Lax in the spring. As a sophomore, she recorded a 5-goal game in the S9 title contest, but the Green & White fell just short; hence it goes without saying that she will be as determined as ever to close out her career by hoisting hardware.
Mia entered her senior season as the #5 ranked* 127-pounder in the FloWrestling/USAW Girls' Preseason National Polls.
*AWW has her ranked at #3 in the 132-pound weight class.
Photo courtesy of Venom Girls Wrestling Club.