DANVERS - Georgetown resident Ryan Malo, last year's Division 1 state wrestler of the year, recently withdrew from Boston University, leaving a full wrestling college behind.
He is currently enrolled in classes at Northern Essex Community College with plans to attend another school next fall.
Malo had started the season going 5-5 at BU. During an interview with The Daily News yesterday, Malo said he had a difficult time adjusting to Boston.
"I knew going in that living in the city was not something that I was really looking forward to, but I really liked the coaching staff at BU so I figured I would give it a shot," said the former St. John's Prep wrestler. "I realized though that the city life was not for me, and mentally it really distracted me from wrestling."
After a legendary high school career, culminating in an overall record of 148-27, back-to-back state championships in his junior and senior years, a New England championship in his senior year, and a remarkable 58-0 record in his final season, Malo was pursued by several schools including Bucknell, Harvard, and Williams. Bucknell, with its nationally ranked recruiting class, was the original front runner for Malo's services, but he changed his mind last spring and picked BU.
Currently helping out as an assistant coach with the St. John's team, Malo said staying close to home as well as picking a school with a top notch education will be the most important determining factors when considering his next move.
"I recognize that I have a few options, but I want to stay close to home somewhere in New England," said Malo, who is considering Williams and Wesleyan among others. "I'm still waiting to get some information back from those schools before I make up my mind, but I definitely also want to be able to wrestle wherever I go."
However, Williams may have the inside track with three of Malo's former SJP wrestling brethren on the Williams team - Tim Kiely, Kyle Ayer, and Doug Washington - as well as a fourth former Eagle grappler Trevor Powers, who is currently a captain on the football team.
According to Malo's former coach Manny Costa, Williams would be an excellent all-around fit.
"I know a little bit Williams with four of my former guys there, and originally I thought it was one of three schools along with Harvard and Bucknell that would be perfect for Ryan," Costa said. "You can't beat the education Williams can provide and the coach of the wrestling team really has his program moving forward these days."
Costa added that Williams - which has been ranked in the top 20 nationally at Division 3 - would be good competition for Malo in college despite the fact that it is not a Division 1 school like BU.
"Wrestling D-1 is D-1 - it is the best competition out there - but BU really wrestles against some of lower level programs in its division," Costa said. "Williams is nationally ranked in its division, and the team duels with the top programs out there."
For Kiely, the potential thought of adding a talent the caliber of Malo to the Williams' team would be reason enough to celebrate, but the fact he's also a good friend makes it that much better.
"Ryan and I have stayed in close contact all fall, and I know he was feeling a lot of pressure at BU," said Kiely, who later put Malo in contact with the Williams coach to get the ball rolling on a potential transfer. "We are really excited that he very well may be coming here because he's so talented and knowledgeable about the sport. He's a great kid, very bright, and I think he'll do very well here."
