VETERANS SHOW WAY Seniors Mascioli, Skaggs role models to J-M’s young wrestlers

By MARK W. MILLER

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

THE ONLY SENIORS ON THE
Jackson-Milton High wrestling team — co-captains Matt Mascioli and Joe Skaggs — are providing leadership this season for the Bluejays’ young squad.

Besides Mascioli and Skaggs, the Bluejays have nine freshman, five sophomores and three juniors on the team.

“We help teach them new moves and when they mess around at practice tell them to cut it out,” said Skaggs, a standout at 145 pounds.

Mascioli, who wrestles at 125 pound, added, “If they have a question or need to know how to do something the right way, we show them.”

Dave Tomaino, 165-65 in his 19th season as the Jackson-Milton coach, has one of the state’s top programs.

He said, “Mascioli and Skaggs have two unique different styles. Skaggs is a brawler, kind of like a street fighter, and Mascioli is more like a technician.

“They both have been in my program since kindergarten,” said Tomaino. “They wrestled in the Pee Wee program. Coach Shane Mason had them for six years and gave them the love of the sport. Bill Jefferies coached them in the junior high program and during that transition period, up to high school, they learned much about wrestling.”

A four-year varsity performer, Mascioli placed fifth in Division III at last season’s state meet. He was sixth at state his sophomore year.

Off to a 10-0 start this season with five pins, Mascioli (31-7 last year) has 105 career wins.

“Coach Tomaino is my uncle and he expects me to do the very best I can,” said Mascioli. “When I was young, I used to get nervous before a big match. I don’t do that anymore, just go out and wrestle and do what I need to do to score points and win matches.”

Skaggs, also a four-year starter, competed in the state tournament with a broken hand last year and didn’t place. He was runner-up as a sophomore.

He’s off to a 16-0 start with 14 pins this season. He went 36-6 last year and has 111 career wins.

“I like being with my friends and winning matches, it keeps me out of trouble,” said Skaggs. “Wrestling has taught me leadership, self confidence and it motivates me to do whatever I want to do and helps me work as a team member.”

Mascioli carries a 2.5 point grade average and said he hasn’t talked to any colleges yet, but will in the future. He’s on the student-principal advisory committee. Skaggs has a 2.5 GPA and has had some calls from colleges but hasn’t decided where he wants to go.

“Skaggs is my drill partner in practices,” said Mascioli. “We work very hard and go through all are moves and that makes us better.”

“Coach Tomaino has been instrumental during my career and has taught me just about everything I know about wrestling,” added Skaggs. “Before each match he says keep calm and he gets us pumped up before we go out on the mat.

“I need to improve a little bit because I’m not where I would like to be right now, but will work hard on my goal at returning to state,” said Skaggs.

Skaggs stays in condition by playing on the football team. A two-year letterman at running back, he rushed for 1,000 yards and five touchdowns for the Bluejays last season.

The two athletes practice with junior Santino Pizzuto, who was 28-9 at 112 pounds last season and a state alternate.

“We are pushing him because all three of us would like to make it to state,” said Mascioli.

miller@vindy.com