Francis, August and Paul Mizia
Wrestling’s band of brothers By Allison Seib
The Mizia brothers — August, 24, Francis, 22, and Paul, 21, of Bentleyville, Pennsylvania — didn’t have to wrestle with their picks for college. Mercyhurst was an easy choice to pin down, they said. After Mercyhurst wrestling head coach Mike Wehler recruited August `15, his brothers soon followed in his footsteps.
around both as competitors and as people.”
While Paul didn’t choose Mercyhurst primarily to wrestle, he joined the team and experienced his frst collegiate victory as a sophomore, fnishing third at the Jamestown Open. “I came to Mercyhurst strictly for school,” said Paul. “I live vicariously through my brothers. I feel like I’ve taken on a responsibility to help them get better. It’s helped me get into and stay in shape, and I’ve made friends. It’s fun to be a part of something they are into.” Paul has put his skills to good use — and gained some resumé-worthy experience along the way. “I have the most fun major in college,” said Paul, who has used his graphic design skills to create t-shirts, warm-up gear, posters and programs for the team. While all good things must come to an end, the Mizia brothers won’t forget their Mercyhurst experience and the friends they made along the way. “Overall, my college experience has been phenomenal,” August said.
After spending fve years competing with the wrestling team, August said he was honored when coach Wehler asked him to be the team’s graduate assistant. During his wrestling career, August posted a 116-31 record, landing him second in all-time wins at Mercyhurst. His achievements include being a four-time PSAC place-winner and a four-time All-Conference selection. He is also a three-time NCAA Qualifer. At the 2015 DII NCAA Tournament in St. Louis, he recorded a 4-1 record, fnishing third in the nation and earning All-America status. As far as wrestling talent goes, August and Paul agree Francis has it. Francis has posted a 115-20 career record and fnished ffth in the nation for his second straight All-America status. He has taken frst and second place at the NCAA Super Region I Tournament; he placed at all four PSAC championships; he won the NCAA DII Award for Most Technical Falls in a season; and he was named Co-Rookie of the Year during his freshman year. Fran started this season with a 31-1 record, earning a No. 1 national ranking. He already has a win this year over the returning NCAA champion at his weight, and he leads the NCAA DII Most Dominant Wrestler category (regardless of weight class).
“It was easier on our parents,” Francis joked.
Francis, a redshirt senior and environmental science major, was also recruited for the wrestling program. He will graduate this May with August, who is completing his master’s in applied behavior analysis at Mercyhurst. Paul, who decided he was applying to Mercyhurst during three years of visits with his parents, said Mercyhurst was his one and only choice. He will join his brothers as an alumnus in May 2018 with a graphic design degree. “Gus, Fran and Pauly are all awesome people,” said coach Wehler. “They come from a great family that holds them accountable in all facets of life. I have a great amount of respect for the entire family. I love how close they all are and how they make no excuses. They are great role models; they give it their all, and if they fail, they reassess and get back to it. They are such a tremendous joy for me to be
His brothers agree. “It will be sad to leave.”
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