Princeton Wrestling Announces 2025 Recruiting Class
June 13, 2025 | Wrestling
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton wrestling team will welcome seven talented newcomers in its 2025 recruiting class in Gabe Garibaldi, Gavin Hawk, Vincenzo LaValle, Matthew Martino, Conor McCloskey, Blase Mele and Dale O’Blia.
“This incoming class brings a wealth of talent, depth, and culture fit, bringing us the right type of wrestlers to propel us closer to our goal of national excellence,” said Head Coach Joe Dubuque.
Read on to meet the 2025 Princeton wrestling recruiting class!
Gabe Garibaldi - 197 lbs | Long Beach, NY
Gabe Garibaldi comes to Princeton as a Preseason Nationals Champion and a U20 and U23 Argentinian World Team Member. Coming from Greens Farms Academy, Garibaldi is a two-time NHSCA All-America Honoree and a Prep National All-American.
Off the mat, Garibaldi was a co-founder of the Serious Mass Club, a club focused on teaching fitness and nutrition to underclassmen.
At Princeton, Garibaldi will join his older brother Sebastian on the team, who will be entering his senior year.
Gavin Hawk - 157 lbs | Phillipsburg, NJ
Staying in his home state of New Jersey, Gavin Hawk comes to Princeton as a two-time state finalist and two-time regional champion.
Hailing from Phillipsburg High School with over 150 career wins, Hawk was a four-time district champion. He also saw consistent success at the Hunterdon Warren Sussex tournament, winning the title four times and being named MVP in 2023.
Excelling on the mat and off of it, Hawk is the 2025 Phillipsburg High School Valedictorian. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Vincenzo LaValle - 184/197 lbs | East Hanover, NJ
Also joining the Tigers’ Jersey ranks is Vincenzo LaValle, a two-time NJ state finalist and four-time NJ state placewinner. LaValle is also a 2024 Super 32 Finalist and a Fargo finalist. He was a placewinner at Beast of the East three times.
Outside of the room, LaValle is a member of the unified club at his high school, Hanover Park. He is also a captain of the unified track team, and a member of the National Honor Society.
LaValle’s father, James LaValle, wrestled at Lock Haven.
Matthew Martino - 141/149 lbs | Eagle, ID
Matthew Martino comes to Princeton as the Idaho recipient of the 2025 David Schultz High School Excellence Award, one of the highest and most prestigious honors that can be awarded to wrestlers at the high school level. The honor comes after an outstanding career that saw Martino win the Idaho state championship four times.
On the national and international stage, Martino is a U15 Pan American Champion and a US Open runner-up. He is also a Muilenburg Invitational Champion.
At Bishop Kelly High School, Martino is the president of the National Honor Society. He is also a pep club representative.
At Princeton, Martino will join his older brother Chris, who is entering his senior year on the wrestling team.
Conor McCloskey - 197 lbs | Buford, GA
Conor McCloskey comes to Princeton from Buford, Georgia, as an NHSCA finalist and a three-time placewinner. McCloskey is also a three-time Georgia state finalist. He boasts a career record of 115-15.
Off the mat, McCloskey is an honors graduate and a member of the National Honor Society.
Blase Mele - 149 lbs | Princeton, NJ
Continuing his wrestling career where it all began, Princeton native Blase Mele will join the Tigers as an NJSIAA State Champion - the first in Princeton High School history. Mele was also a two-time NJSIAA state placewinner, and he boasts a 129-19 career record.
For his efforts in the classroom and on the mat, Mele was named a recipient of the NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete Award.
Mele’s father wrestled at American University.
Dale O’Blia - 125 lbs | Denver, CO
Dale O’Blia comes to Princeton as the 2024 David Schultz Award recipient of Colorado. A four-time Colorado state champion, O’Blia is also an NHSCA finalist and a Reno Tournament of Champions finalist. He boasts a career record of 155-8, and is a four-time All-State First Team honoree for both wrestling and academic achievement.
On the international stage, O’Blia is a Flatz Austria International Open champion.
O’Blia is a four-year member of the student council at Mullen High School. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.