By RICH FISHER
Contributing Editor
Since arriving at Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, Michael Mulray has focused on becoming a better wrestler and a better Christian.
He seems to be doing both.
On the mat, the Yardley, Pa., resident finished fifth in the Mercer County Tournament as a freshman and fourth last year.
“I could feel myself working up to that first place,” Mulray said.
This year, in the newly formed Colonial Valley Conference Tournament, that feeling played out as Mulray won the 190-pound title with a 5-2 decision over Allentown’s Kassidy Mazza.
After going 24-11 last season and finishing second at 157 pounds in the District 21 tournament, he is 27-4 with 17 pins as he gears for this year’s districts, which begin Feb. 21.
Michael Mulray gets ready to battle Robbinsville’s Tony Migliaccio in a match that would result in one of his 17 pints this season. Courtesy photo
“I have been wrestling well this year but I still am looking to improve in the final stretch of the season,” Mulray said. “My arsenal of moves is much different since making the jump from 157 pounds to 190. Most of my favorite moves this year look a lot different from last year.”
Off the mat, he has put in just as much energy to becoming a good Catholic.
“Since attending Notre Dame I have definitely strengthened my relationship with God,” said Mulray, who attends St. Ignatius Parish in Yardley. “Every night for the past four years I have read the Bible verse of the day, reflected on it, and then prayed. My faith is something I am still working on and I would like to take the next step in that journey in the near future.
“My faith plays in wrestling as I trust God to watch over me while I am on the mat and I am grateful for the opportunity to wrestle.”
Mulray began wrestling in seventh grade for the Pennwood Middle School and Pennsbury Wrestling Club.
“I started after my little brother tried it the year prior,” he said. “It was just something that I thought I would try as a lot of my friends were trying it.”
After COVID hit during his eighth-grade season, Mulray returned to the sport at Apache Wrestling Club and Notre Dame for the past three seasons.
As a freshman and sophomore at ND, Michael did all the right things and was voted a junior captain by the 2023 graduating seniors. But he wasn’t a boisterous leader.
“He’s coming out of his shell,” Irish coach EJ Nemeth said. “You didn’t hear a lot of talking from him about anything for his first three years. As a senior he’s taking a more verbal leadership role, which is good.”
Mulray admitted he wasn’t the most vocal guy, but said “I always tried to lead by example. When I became captain my junior year, I knew I had to step up my leadership vocally. I have become very comfortable speaking around my teammates. I credit that to the respect I have earned from them in my hard work and support towards them.”
Nemeth can’t say enough about Mulray’s work ethic.
Michael Mulray receives congratulations after recording one of his 27 victories this season. Courtesy photo
“At the end of the day he’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around,” the coach said. “There’s no excuses. He comes in and works hard. Whoever his (practice) partner is gets better by working with Mike. He’s just a good kid. He’s like a coach on the team.”
In looking at Mulray’s run to the CVC championship, Nemeth was impressed by the fact that even though all three of his wins were by a scant two points, Michael dominated.
“He was just solid, nothing rattled him,” the coach said. “As close as the matches looked, they weren’t close. He controlled the match. He was never in any danger. He’s comfortable being in a dog fight. He won his first championship at the Kearny tournament in December. I think that helped propel him.”
Apparently, the bump up to 190 has also been good for the grappler.
“He was 144 for two years, then 57 last year, he wrestles a little more like the big boys now,” Nemeth said. “His pace changes, he can go heavy with the big guys, he can wrestle like a 57-pounder. He’s fairly aggressive. He’s good in all three phases, when he needs to get out of bottom he’s getting out, and with 17 pins he’s putting in work on top too.”
Mulry said he likes wrestling in neutral, but is confident in his ability to score from any position. He is hoping last year’s trip to the Region 6 tournament, though brief, will be helpful.
“Being around some of the best wrestlers in the state and country is exciting and I’ve had my eye on getting back there since the end of last season,” Mulry said. “Despite losing my first match by one point I wrestled one of my best matches all year. Watching other matches at regions you can see first-hand what it takes to make it to states and that alone is extremely helpful to mentally prepare.”
The question is, can Mulray make it to the state meet in Atlantic City? Nemeth feels it’s possible if he wrestles to his capabilities. Mulray is more focused on districts right now.
“I believe I have a strong chance of making it to AC but I try not to look too far ahead,” he said. “There are no handouts in this sport and you have to take things one match at a time.”