New wrestling coach Marino aims for even more success

By John Roeder

  When the name of Anthony Marino comes to mind, success always coincides with it. Coach Marino was named the new head coach for the Freedom Boys Wrestling team in September of 2022.
   “It feels amazing to be promoted to the head coach. I’m truly blessed to be able to do something that I love,” he said when asked how he feels about the new promotion.
   Between the years of 2007-2010 Coach Marino wrestled at the highest level in the state, maybe in the country. Ultimately over his high school career at Liberty High School, he managed to win two District 11 3A titles, along with one Northeast Regional championship, and was a two-time place winner at the state tournament in Hershey, finishing 5th and 2nd. Coach Marino also held the win record at Liberty for seven years after he graduated. The Liberty graduate then went on to wrestle at both the Division I and II levels, for Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg University.
   He then was offered the opportunity to be an assistant coach at Stroudsburg High School where, again, to no surprise, he found success. Over his five years at Stroudsburg, he worked with multiple wrestlers, one who managed to win two district titles and earned three PIAA state medals, along with others who received multiple accolades as well. Coach Marino then coached under former Freedom Wrestling head coach Dante Terenzio, who led the Pates to an 18-5 record. Coach Marino specialized in the light weights, specifically CJ Horvath, Freedom’s 119 pounder, who was one round away from placing.
   “I’m really satisfied and overall happy with the decision that was made,” said CJ. “I have had a relationship with him for a while and he has always brought out the best in me as a wrestler, a leader, and just as a person in general.”
   When looking towards the upcoming season Coach said that he wants to improve on their record from last year and to develop as a top 3 team in the district along with Becahi and Nazareth. In preparation, the team has been working out three times a week, plus two days in the wrestling room going over technique, as well as running once a week. In terms of what the product on the mat will look like for your Freedom Pates, Coach expects his “guys to put on a show for the people in the crowd. I want them to push the pace of matches and constantly be looking to score as many points as possible as fast as possible.”
   To anyone who has followed Lehigh Valley wrestling over the past 15 years knows, that is the exact philosophy and intensity Anthony Marino displayed as a wrestler throughout his high school and college career, and again attempting to find success with the Freedom wrestling team. They opened on December 3rd with the Battle of Bethlehem duels, finishing in 2nd place. We wish the best of luck to Coach and the whole Freedom wrestling team and hope to hear a lot more from them over the next couple months.

​