In a sport where the goal is to dominate your opponent, there are few in the same league as Michael Parziale at achieving this goal. Ironically, the success he was yet to achieve came in spite of a disappointing freshman year which almost ended his career. However, Mike was fortunate to have supportive coaches who guided him in determining his goals and aligning his focus in a way that would allow him to recognize his potential. Thus, his sophomore year proved to be a turning point in what developed into a remarkable career. Michael displayed a work ethic and drive for perfection that landed him in the finals of each of the four post season tournaments. When he made his decision to stay the course with wrestling, he also decided that he wanted to be a champion, and he would stop short of nothing to attain this goal. During this season he earned championship titles at the Sectional, State, All State and New England levels. However, even this was only a glimpse at Michael’s talent. He dominated a path that left him undefeated in both his junior and senior years, while never having a takedown scored against him. He earned two more Sectional, State, All-State and New England championships. This placed Michael in an elite group of only two other Massachusetts wrestlers to win three New England titles. Michael was chosen by his peers to be the captain of the team his senior year and he approached this leadership role with the same vigor that he approached each match. He led his team to win Woburn’s first State title. His high school career ended with an extraordinary record of 179-13. His record ranks 10th highest in Massachusetts history and 1st in Woburn history. He also achieved All-Scholastic Honors in 1999, 2000, and 2001 from both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald and was named a High School All American in 2001 from Wrestling USA. Michael was determined to leave his mark on the sport in general and he was off to an unbelievable start. After graduation, Michael wrestled for Exeter Academy where he won the Prep State and Prep New England Tournaments and placed 2nd in the Prep National Tournament. He then attended Franklin and Marshall College and before transferring to Hofstra University set a record for wins during his freshman year. He finished his collegiate career with a record of 114-36 and was at one pointed ranked as high as 9th in the country as a Division I Wrestler. He represented the USA in an international competition held in China. If asked to recount his most notable match, he will tell you it was a win over a future two-time NCAA Champion and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs. However, true to his humble nature and lack of arrogance about his talent and success, you’ll have to coax it out of him. Michael graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from American International College (AIC). Six years ago he returned to his roots and began teaching at Woburn Memorial High School. Not long after that he found his way back to the mat and continues the legacy of success that he began in the wrestling room as head coach. Michael never lost his passion for the sport and has found the ability to transfer his own pursuit of excellence to his wrestlers in a way that has begun a new legacy of Parziale success in Woburn, and one that will undoubtedly continue to make both their program and their city proud.