Published: February 15, 2008 12:45 am            

HS WRESTLING: Malvestutos bring ‘attitude’ to N-Wheatfield

WHEATFIELD — Rick Sweney believes one of the things that makes the wrestling program at Niagara-Wheatfield so successful is the “family attitude” in the room.

At the same point, it would also be fair to use the word family in the literal sense as well. For instance, the Malvestuto brothers, Bob, Angelo and Joe, have been stalwarts in the starting lineup for the Falcons for three of N-W’s four consecutive undefeated Niagara Frontier League titles.

But why has the trio of underclassmen been so wildly successful, with Angelo and Joe already once sectional champs and state qualifiers and Bob just an upset away from a berth at states? For the answer to that, you must look no further than family once again.

“Our dad, Robert Jr., was our coach in little league and pushed us very hard,” Bob said. “He made us who we are today — the three Malvestuto brothers.”

And from the moment Sweney set eyes on the brothers, he could tell their father had instilled something special in them.

“Their determination when they step on the mat is incredible,” the first-year head varsity coach said. “That attitude that if you’re going to step on the mat, you must give 100 percent the whole time, has been deeply embedded in them.”

That same type of approach has also rubbed off on their teammates, according to Sweney.

“They have a unique toughness about them,” he said. “Our goal is to enhance that kind of attitude in the room and the Malvestutos help us do that. They just don’t let up.”

Angelo, the largest of the three, wrestles at 171 pounds and has the biggest “mean streak” on the team, according Sweney. He also has the most accolades to his name. As just a freshman, Malvestuto claimed a Section VI title and fared well at the New York state meet. Then this past spring, Malvestuto picked up all-American honors and a national title in the freshman 160-pound division during the National Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Va. Not surprisingly, he’s the top-ranked grappler in his weight class in Western New York and a possible contender for the state title.

But what do the lesser-known brothers think of Angelo and the attention he receives?

“Good for him,” Bob mildly stated.

Joe, just a freshman at 103 pounds, had a similar response, but did say that it doesn’t hurt to share last names.

“It’s not really a big deal,” Joe said. “It does get my name out there too, though. People are always looking to see if a (wrestler) has any brothers.”

So if opposing coaches or wrestlers were to take a look, they’d quickly find out that these two aren’t that shabby at all. In fact, Joey is currently ranked No. 2 and tops among large schools at 103 while Bob is No. 3 and also tops among large schools at 152.

“Those two are tough wrestlers too,” Sweney said. “They’re hard-nosed kids that won’t quit.”

In fact, all three of them won’t quit until they can stand atop the podium at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester with state champion attached to their names next month.

“We’re looking to take it all,” Bob said. “Go big or go home. You wrestle to get to that final match at states.”

Sweney added with a smile, “I always tell them to shoot for the stars and those three are always pushing for the stars.”

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, Ext. 2262.

        

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