Class of 2014
New Hartford Spartans
Dave Caruso graduated from New Hartford High School in 1995 where he wrestled for Hall of Fame Coach Tom Pauly. Dave was a three-time Section 3 champion and three-time NYS State place finisher, taking 2nd, 1st and 3rd respectively. His High School Record was 131-13. Dave also represented the Mohawk Valley wrestling club traveling to Germany, Puerto Rico as well as multiple trips into Canada where he was the 1993 Cadet Canadian National Champion. Dave was an Empire State Games Gold and Bronze Medalist and a three-time freestyle state champion. He represented NYS in Fargo, North Dakota for the Junior Nationals. He placed 8th place in the high school nationals in 1995.
Dave attended Syracuse University where he wrestled at 118 under Gene Mills and Ed Carlin. His freshman year record was 24-5. Dave was top seed at the EIWA championships, ranked 15th in the nation until he missed weight for conferences. He did not compete his sophomore year and came back for part of his junior year, after the program was dropped for its final year at Syracuse. Under new coaches Brian Smith and Kenny Porter
Dave went 8-4 until finally calling it quits to focus on academics and other interests, definitely his biggest regret as a wrestler.
Dave received his Bachelors in the Science of Education from Syracuse University and a Masters Degree in Health Education from SUNY Cortland. Hes currently a High School Physical Education Teacher at Thomas R. Proctor High School in the Utica City School District, where there is currently no wrestling program (yet). He also is the Assistant Varsity Lacrosse coach there.
At 22 Dave was the Head Varsity coach at Whitesboro High school for one year. He was the New Hartford Varsity Head Coach from 2005-2008. When his biggest supporter/fan, his dad, became ill, he took a break to focus on family until 2011 where he returned as the assistant coach at New Hartford. In 2013 he accepted the position as head coach for the Spartans.
Dave lives in Sauquoit New York with his most important accomplishments, his wife Kristy and two boys (thank god) Casey and Devin.