Downingtown East
Cougar Wrestling
Coach Horvath wrestled for West Chester East High School where he
graduated in 1990. While there, he was a 2 time Section IV champion,
District 1 South champion, and District 1 Regional champion, amassing
over 90 wins. He also served as a team captain his senior year.
Coach then travelled to Bucknell University where he graduated in 1994
with a B.A. in English and Education.  While there, Coach Horvath
competed for the varsity Bison at 158 lbs. for his first two years, but then
left the team after nagging injuries and falling short of personal
expectations.  To this day, leaving the wrestling team in college is one of
his greatest REGRETS!

After college, Coach started teaching and coaching in the Downingtown
Area School District where he's taught English for 7 years and Alternative
Education for 6 years.  He's been the head coach of Downingtown and
Downingtown East wrestling for 12 years winning multiple Ches-Mont,
Section IV, and District 1 South crowns with his teams.  He has also
coached numerous state qualifiers and medalists, some now wrestling
in college. Last  year Coach Horvath picked up his 100th team win and
starts this season with a coaching record of 125-62.

Coach Horvath has two Master's degrees from West Chester University,
one in Secondary Education, and the other in Athletic Administration.
Currently, he is pursuing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at
Immaculata University.  Coach lives in Chester Springs with his wife
Susan, son Bo, and daughter Bailey.

Coach's Words of Wisdom- "The sport of wrestling builds tremendous
discipline, confidence and comradery.  There is no substitute, nor equal.  
You will remember your days as a wrestler and teammate because they
will be the basis for all of your future endeavors."  

Coach May grew up in Western, PA and wrestled for the
Sharon Tigers in Section 6 in the W.P.I.A.L

He started wrestling in 9th grade and was Conference,
Sectional, and Regional Champion his Senior year, and lost in
the quarter finals of the State Championships in State College
, PA. As team captain that year, he received the "Don Thomas
Award" for Leadership and Work ethic.
Jim went on to wrestle in the NCAA / Division 1 at Franklin &
Marshall College at the 142 and 150 lbs. weight class. He
broke into the line up his Freshman year and competed in the
Eastern intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships
for F&M.
Coach May currently resides in the Downingtown area with his
wife, Lynne and children Ali and CJ

"It’s all about HEART Cougars."
Coach - Jim May
Coach DeLuca wrestled for a legendary program at
Upper Darby High School where he graduated in 1997.
There, he was known for is dedication and tenacity at
the 103 and 112lb. categories.
Coach DeLuca is a graduate of West Chester University
with a degree in Physical Education. He is continuing his
graduate studies. Coach DeLuca lives in Downingtown
with wife, Nicole and their daughters Julia and Adreana.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing Halo2.

This will be Coach DeLuca's 5th year with the team. His
love for physical education and wellness inspires him to
continue wrestling as a coach and mentor. He is Coach
Horvath's "light weight" specialist and one of the
toughest conditioning experts around. His ability to
inspire and bond with the team is one of his finest assets.
2006-2007
2004-2005
2005-2006
Coach - Ben Young
Ben Young is a graduate of Downingtown. He wrestled for
Coach Horvath before the split and is one of
Downingtown's all-time best.....3X State qualifier, Section,
District, and Regional Champion, and placed 7th at the
PIAA State Tournament in Hershey , PA.
While attending college at Slippery Rock University , he
was an Eastern Regional Champion and 2004 NCAA
qualifier.  After his first year of college Ben transferred to
Bloomsburg University where he received his teaching
degree in 2007.  This is his third year teaching at Oxford
High School and third year with the team
2007-2008
Head Coach - Joe Horvath

D'town East's Horvath picks up 100th career win

Downingtown East coach Joe Horvath will tell you that wrestling is the toughest sport in which to preach the idea of
"team."

He may also tell you that wrestling, as sports go, is the toughest to compete in. And while both statements may be up
for debate, one thing about Horvath that is not questioned is his passion for the sport he coaches and the results he
gets.

Saturday, at the Octorara duals, the Cougars won the title, and Horvath notched his 100th career victory as head coach.

In his 10th season at the helm, starting with Downingtown High and continuing with Downingtown East after the district
split, Horvath has guided his team to an 8-4 record this season.

"To be honest, it feels really good," Horvath said of the milestone. "I'm not over concerned with wins, I'm more
concerned with the progress we're making and the progress we made at Downingtown and now Downingtown East."

Horvath took over the helm as head coach when he was 24 and fresh out of Bucknell University, where he earned an
English and education degree following his high school career at West Chester East.

Since then, his belief in the idea that some of life's greatest lessons can be learned on the mat has helped motivate
high schoolers to compete as a team in a sport dominated by the individual.

"I tell kids, 'You'll reap the greatest rewards in the sport of wrestling when they learn to be a part of a team and step
above and beyond an individual.' So much character is built doing something extremely difficult."
Coach - Pete Carozza
2008-2009
Peter Carozza is a 1984 graduate of Springfield Delco High School where
he was a 3-yr varsity starter on the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams.  
He was a wrestling and football teams.  He was a starter on the 1982 state
championship lacrosse team
Peter attended West Chester University where he was a 2-yr starting
defenseman.  After college, he started teaching in the Coatesville Area
School District where he taught for 9 years; coached middle school football
(2 yrs); was the Head Varsity Lacrosse coach (3 yrs) and Assistant Varsity
Wrestling coach (2 yrs    
Peter is now at DEHS teaching social studies and second year Assistant
Wrestling Coach. He has been an Assistant Lacrosse Coach for DEHS for 4
years.
2009-2010