State Champion Joe Galasso Commits to Cornell
2013 PIAA Class AAA State Champion Joe Galasso has committed to Rob Koll and the Cornell Big Red wrestling program. In three seasons of high school competition Galasso has accumulated a multitude of achievements.
As a freshman Joe Galasso attended Malvern Prep where he was a Wetzel Invitational third place finisher in addition to a Pennsylvania Independent School Wrestling Tournament third place finisher at 125 lbs. Galasso qualified for the National Prep Tournament and was seeded #8 at 125 lbs. Despite being pinned by eventual Champion Mark Grey (Blair Academy) in the third round, Galasso wrestled all the way back to the consolation finals where he met Wyoming Seminary’s Tyler Fraley. Galasso fell to Fraley for the second time in two weeks and ended his freshman campaign as a National Prep fourth place medalist with a (41-6) record.
As a sophomore Galasso transferred to Father Judge High School in Philadelphia where he would compete in the PIAA’s District 12. Moving up to 132 lbs. Galasso won championships in the SEPA Classic, A.I. Dupont Classic, and the Philadelphia Catholic League Sectional. In his first career PIAA post-season, Joe Galasso cruised to his first District 12 Championship, winning all of his three matches by fall. Advancing to the PIAA Southeast Regional Tournament Galasso stormed into the Regional finals, effectively qualifying for the PIAA Class AAA State Championship. In the Southeast Regional finals at 132 lbs. Galasso fell to Council Rock North’s John Dutrow (5-1). Heading to Hershey, PA for his first career State Tournament, Galasso showed no signs of nervousness, advancing to the championship quarterfinals. There he fell to Bethlehem Liberty’s Devon Lotitio by fall (4:37) and dropped to the consolation bracket. After picking up two victories in the consolations the sophomore again faced Council Rock North’s John Dutrow, This time around Dutrow was able to plant Galasso on his back for a fall in just 30 seconds into the first period. That meant Galasso would wrestle in the fifth place medal match. There he defeated freshman Josh Shields (Franklin Regional) for the second time in the Tournament and earning his first PIAA State Medal with a fifth place finish.
In his second season at Father Judge High School Joe Galasso looked to improve on an already impressive resume in the PIAA. As a junior Galasso moved up to 138 lbs. In his biggest test of the season, following time off the mat due to an injury, Joe competed in his first career POWERade Christmas Tournament in Cannonsburg, PA. Galasso faced the State and Nation’s top competitors and advanced to the championship semifinals where he faced PIAA Class AA State Champion and World Cadet Freestyle Champion Zain Retherford (Benton Area). In an exciting bout of two top talents Galasso gave Retherford what would end up being the closest match of his undefeated senior season. Galasso fell to the Benton Area Tiger in overtime (5-3 OT).
Galasso responded by moving up to 145 lbs. for the Escape The Rock tournament were he captured the championship title. In his second career PIAA post-season Galasso again cruised to both sectional and district championships at 138 lbs. recording all falls in the process. District 12 no longer competed in the Southeast Regional and instead 2012 would be the first year District 12 participated in the Northeast Regional Tournament, joining District’s 11 and 2. Galasso dominated his opponents en route to his first career Regional Championship by picking up one fall and two technical-falls. Galasso made his second career trip to Hershey, PA and looked to improve on his fifth place medal from a season ago.
In the quarterfinals Galasso met Council Rock North’s senior John Dutrow, who had defeated him twice last season including by fall at the PIAA State Championships. This time around, Galasso showed his improvement, defeating Dutrow (5-2) and advancing to the Championship semifinals. There Galasso defeated Franklin Regonal’s Josh Maruca, whom he had defeated earlier in the season at the POWERade Christmas Tournament, by a score of (3-2). The Father Judge junior was now one win away from a PIAA Class AAA State Championship.
In the finals Galasso faced Central Dauphin senior Tyson Dippery. Dippery was no stranger to the finals as he was a State runner-up in 2012. The two battled to a (1-1) deadlock after six minuetes of regulation. In sudden victory Galasso was able to connect on a takedown and score the overtime victory (3-1 OT) to capture his first career PIAA Class AAA State Championship title.
His outstanding wrestling career to date and his academic success landed Galasso the opportunity to continue both his education and wrestling at Cornell University. Joe projects to compete at 141 lbs. for the Big Red.