Men's Wrestling
Mocco, Steve
Steve Mocco
- Title:
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
- Alma Mater:
- Second season
Four-time NCAA finalist and 2008 U.S. Olympian Steve Mocco begins his second season as the Volunteer Assistant Coach on the Mountain Hawks staff. Mocco will work as a coach with the Lehigh Valley Athletic Club, a position that allows him to assist Lehigh on a volunteer basis. His impact on the Lehigh program was immediate as in his debut season as a college coach, Mocco was instrumental in mentoring Zack Rey to a national title at heavyweight and helping Joe Kennedy come within one win of earning All-American status.
One of America’s most accomplished heavyweights at both the folkstyle and freestyle level, Mocco was a five-time finalist at the U.S. Open from 2004-09, winning a national freestyle title in 2009. In 2008, Mocco won the U.S. Olympic Trials and the right to compete at the Beijing Olympics, where he placed seventh in the 120 kg/264.5 lb. weight class.
Following the Olympics, Mocco continued his string of successes in 2009, winning the championship at the prestigious Ivan Yarygin Memorial in Russia, just the tenth U.S. wrestler to triumph in the event and the first since 2005. Mocco also won his U.S. Open title in 2009 and added wins at the Alexander Medved International Championships in Belarus plus the Pan American Championships. This past February, Mocco picked up another title at the Cerra Pelado International tournament in Cuba.
A native of North Bergen, N.J., Mocco was a four time National Prep Champion, winning two titles for St. Benedict’s and two for Blair Academy. One of the nation’s most sought-after recruits coming out of high school, Mocco began his college career at Iowa, where he placed second nationally as a true freshman and won a national title as a sophomore.
Mocco sat out the 2003-04 season after transferring to Oklahoma State, where he helped lead the Cowboys to NCAA team titles in his final two seasons. In 2004-05, Mocco went 36-0 and captured his second national title. Mocco had an 85-match win streak come to an end in 2006, but he still managed to place second nationally, finishing as a four-time NCAA finalist with a 137-6 record and 56 falls.
Also the owner of a national title in judo, Mocco earned his degree from Oklahoma State in 2006. He and his wife Katie have two sons.
Lehigh Sports Central: Wrestling
Wednesday, March 12
Lehigh Sports Central: Wrestling
Thursday, February 20
Lehigh Sports Central: Wrestling
Wednesday, December 04
Season Preview: Wrestling
Wednesday, October 30
