<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=45AIJr_0wPpV2wt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=45AIJr_0wPpV2wt00" width="288" height="457" ><figcaption>Messenger photo by Jeff Pfeil Marco Gualtieri is West Jefferson High School’s new wrestling coach. On the wall behind him is a photo of West Jefferson’s district championship team from 2010; he was a member of that team.</figcaption></figure>(Posted Oct. 28, 2024)Marco Gualtieri, a former wrestling standout at West Jefferson High School, is thrilled to return to his alma mater as the new head wrestling coach. The 2010 West Jefferson graduate accepted the position on Oct. 8.“I’m excited for the next generation of wrestling at West Jefferson,” Gualtieri said. “My friends, people I have known my whole life, their sons and daughters are the next generation and the future of the program. So, to come back home and be a part of their story, instill a winning culture, and to lead them to chase the same dreams I once pursued is what makes coming back home to coach so much sweeter.”While in high school, Gualtieri was a three-time state qualifier and two-time state placer, finishing eighth in 2009 and second in 2010. He and his teammates finished fourth at state in 2010, tying the highest team finish at state in school history, and were state duals runners-up.After high school, Gualtieri was in on the ground floor of Tiffin University’s new wrestling program, holding the distinction of being the program’s first match winner. He went on to be a three-year starter and a two-time Academic All-American.For the past six years, Gualtieri has served as the wrestling coach at Olentangy Liberty Middle School. In that time, his teams have yielded three state alternates, 31 state qualifiers, 18 state placers, and two state champions.After seeing the West Jefferson job posting on social media, Gualtieri jumped at the chance to coach at his old stomping grounds. He has lived in West Jefferson since he was in fifth grade, and he and his wife are raising their three children there.“Growing up in West Jefferson, I know firsthand the athletes our town has produced, and it has always been a dream of mine to come back home and help contribute to the rich history. There is not much that can stop a program with a community like West Jeff behind it, and I am ready to get that train rolling,” he said.Gualtieri replaces Ryan Browning. Practices start Nov. 15.The coaching staff also includes Keaton Anderson, Sean Harding, Dillon Harper, and Dylan Wildman as assistant coaches at the high school and D.J. Skaggs as head coach at the middle school. Gualtieri’s brother, Vince, is a new coaching addition in West Jefferson’s youth wrestling program where A.J. Harding also serves as a coach.</div></body>

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New West Jeff wrestling coach comes back home

Marco Gualtieri, a former wrestling standout at West Jefferson High School, is thrilled to return to his alma mater as the new head wrestling coach. The 2010 West Jefferson graduate accepted the position on Oct. 8. “I’m excited for the next generation of wrestling at West Jefferson,” Gualtieri said. “My friends,...