Head coach Manny Costa notches 800th career win with St. John’s Prep wrestling

DANVERS — With a clean sweep of a quad meet against Saugus/Peabody, Essex Tech/Masconomet and Maimonides Monday afternoon, St. John's Prep wrestling coach Manny Costa became the first coach in state history to reach 800 career wins. The Eagles defeated Maimonides 24-0, beat Saugus/Peabody 57-3 and took down Essex Tech/Masconomet 60-16. 

"Number 800 is definitely appreciated, but I'm 0-0 as a wrestler — it's the wrestlers who have done the work and won the meets," said Costa, a Peabody police officer. "I appreciate all who have wrestled at St. John's Prep and I appreciate all of their efforts over 32 years. I want to give special thanks to Steve Ring, who got me to coach and whose son was my first state champion (1992), and also to Jim O'Leary for being my boss for 30 years and for believing in me."