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5/10/08 District 4 AAA and District 9 AAA will not be combined
Scott, Platt, Rella dismissed from Penn State wrestling team
DATE: 5/9/2008 3:15:00 PM
State College, PA
By Pat Donghia
Penn State Sports Information
Three members of the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team have been dismissed from the team, according to head coach Troy Sunderland. Freshmen Garrett Scott (Alexandria, Pa.) and Jared Platt (Blairstown, N.J.) and sophomore Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) have all been dismissed from the squad for violation of team rules and the standards of the program.
"We have granted each of these young men a release from the team in order for them to continue their academic and athletic careers at different schools," Sunderland said. "This was a very tough decision for all of us, but as this program continues to improve, each of our wrestlers must live up to the high standards of the program."
"We wish each of these individuals the best of luck in their future endeavors," Sunderland said. "After our outstanding performance last season, we are primed to continue this ascent and we must focus on all aspects of this program."
Penn State is coming off a banner season that saw the team place third at the 2008 NCAA Championships, garner four All-Americans and led the nation in the latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) among all wrestling programs according to the NCAA.
More of the story http://www.centredaily.com/sports/story/584117.html
Jake Strayer NWCA Academic All American
http://www.ncaa.com/wrestling/article.aspx?id=233446
Oliver gets another national accolade
http://www.mcall.com/sports/all-oliver.6395062may07,0,5484179.story
Academic progress Report:
Penn State Wrestling honored, Clarion given public warning
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_566127.html
High School Wrestling Rules Changes Announced for 2008-09
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 1, 2008) - The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee emphasized risk minimization and standardized procedures to assist both coaches and referees through 16 wrestling rules changes for the 2008-09 school year. Rules changes were made by the committee at its April 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The time sequence for the offensive wrestler in assuming the offensive starting position was standardized with the addition of a note to Rule 5-20-5. First, the wrestler must set the knee(s) and feet. Second, the wrestler must place the palm of one hand on the navel. Third, the wrestler must place the palm of the other hand on or over the near elbow. Fourth, the referee shall pause momentarily before starting wrestling. This rule change is meant to provide consistency for coaches, wrestlers and referees. While each action is currently standard practice, there has not been a written sequence of those events in the NFHS Wrestling Rules Book.
"These changes provide further rules support based on interpretations," said Bob Colgate, assistant director of the NFHS and liaison to the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. "The clarifications make the rules easier to administer."
With an emphasis on sportsmanship, the committee approved two rules changes meant to encourage sportsmanlike conduct by wrestlers and coaches. An addition to Rule 6-7-1c6 states that an unsportsmanlike act that occurs at anytime during the match shall take precedence over the first points scored in the regulation match in determining choice of position in the ultimate tiebreaker. So the wrestler whose opponent has received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at any time during the match will now have choice of position in the ultimate tiebreaker.
In addition, a change to Rule 5-31-1 removes the penalty for coaches whose wrestlers report to the scorer's table not in proper uniform, not properly groomed, not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle.
The addition of Rule 7-1-5w makes a back flip from a standing position an illegal maneuver. The rule was added as an effort to minimize risk to all wrestlers.
"Any time you're dealing with risk minimization in wrestling, it's paramount," Colgate said. "Someone could have been seriously injured if we did not take that initiative."
The committee also addressed the issue of skin conditions. A revision to Rule 4-2-3 allows an on-site physician to examine a wrestler with a particular skin condition without a physician's release form immediately after the weigh-in. A new Rule 4-2-5 allows a physician's release form for a non-communicable skin condition, such as a birthmark or eczema, to be valid for the duration of the season, with some stipulations.
The committee also approved the following rules changes:
- A change to Rule 2-2-2 clarifies the boundary for the restricted zone for coaches.
- A revision to Rule 4-1-5 requires the wrestler's uniform to be worn as intended/designed by the manufacturer. This change gives rules support to a previous NFHS interpretation.
- Rule 4-2-1 will state that a wrestler's hair in the front, in its natural state, shall not extend below the eyebrows.
- A change in Rule 4-5-5 allows for a one-pound weight allowance when a competition is postponed for one calendar day or more due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. The head coach, principal or athletic director of the opponent must be notified in advance to be granted the one-pound weight allowance.
- A change to Rule 5-15-3 gives referees the option to stop a match if there is no action at the edge of the mat and to restart wrestling in the center of the mat.
- A new addition to Rules 5-25-6c and 7-6-6c provides rules support for the interpretation of stalling as "repeatedly creates a stalemate situation to prevent an opponent from scoring."
- In Rule 6-6-1, when the wrong wrestler is given choice of position at the start of the first 30-second tiebreaker in overtime, the opponent will be given the choice at the start of the second 30-second tiebreaker. Previously, this would have been considered bad time.
- In Rule 7-4-1, the committee further defined unnecessary roughness by including ". . . a forceful slap to the head or face, and/or gouging or poking the eyes."
- The committee also approved a new signal for referees to indicate when to start recovery time during a match.
The committee adopted four points of emphasis for the upcoming season, including grooming and medical checks, reporting to the scorer's table ready to wrestle, going out of the wrestling area, and referees' signals and mechanics.
Wrestling is the sixth-most popular program for high school boys in terms of participants, with 257,246 boys wrestling in 9,445 schools throughout the country. It is also gaining popularity among high school girls, with 5,048 girls participating in 1,227 schools, according to the NFHS 2006-07 High School Athletics Participation Survey.
This press release was written by Cassie Krisher, a spring semester intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications department and a senior at Butler (Indiana) University, majoring in journalism and media arts.
Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves Boxing Championships in Wilkes-Barre, Adam Farrell (201-pound-plus novice) won a state title. Farrell, a former PIAA wrestling champion at Fort LeBoeuf, was named the state tournament's outstanding boxer
WPIAL realigns wrestling sections
By Bill Beckner Jr.
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Monday, May 5, 2008
The WPIAL adjusted its winter sports sections last week, and many people were confused by the wrestling realignment.
Or maybe they were sub-confused.
Each section in Class AAA and AA has two sub-sections -- A and B. At the end of the season, similar to pool play, the top two teams in each sub-section will compete in a one-day, four-team tournament -- A-1 versus B-2 and B-1 versus A-2.
The two winners will meet for the section title. All four teams will qualify for the WPIAL tournament.
The number of WPIAL qualifiers won't change. But there will be more competition within each section, and the better teams can go against better non-section competition.
"A lot of teams don't have enough kids to compete," Burrell coach Chris Como said. "So, this is great for us. We can seek out tougher dual-meets and tournaments."
Burrell ripped through the team season last year, going 21-0 and winning WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class AA. With the realignment, the Bucs will have a much tougher road to an unbeaten season.
Como says Burrell hopes to compete in the Ironman Tournament at Walsh Jesuit (Ohio), the War as the Shore in Erie and the usual Powerade and Westmoreland County tournaments. Burrell won't compete in the Trinity Duals.
Como says the Bucs plan to wrestle Kiski Area out of section.
Teams in each sub-section will wrestle each other once during the regular season. Teams are permitted 22 matches.
The WPIAL's change came about after the PIAA shortened the season by a week.
Como says he wants his team to take part in more competitive team matches.
"Last year, there were five or six dual meets that were a half-an-hour long," he said. "That is not good for the overall health of the sport.
"You want close matches; packed gyms. That's what the fans want to see."
Dolde of Connellsville chooses UPJ
Carlton Haselrig undercard for CBS' EliteXC's debut
Bucknell wrestlers have success at Junior Nationals
http://www.thewrestlingmall.com/htmls/news.asp?Cat=4&View=17264
WPIAL gets creative and tightens schedule
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08122/877798-364.stm
Treasure Lake Ski Lodge
Full Service Catoring, area's Largest Deck,
Live Music Wed Fri Sat
Weddings, Reunions, Showers, Partys
"Free Steak dinner on your birthday"(valid id required)
375-1806
Altons of Central Mountain saga continues-10th graders at Juniors!!
Dylan places 1st 60Kg; Andrew places 4th 63 Kg.
Quentin Wright (Sr) of Bald Eagle/Penn State committed wins Juniors!!
Pat Santoro , Lehigh's new Head coach
http://www.mcall.com/sports/all-take50423,0,6025481.htmlstory
Easton's Handlovic says "I do" to Purdue
http://www.mcall.com/sports/highschool/all-handlovic.6375239apr23,0,5737403.story
MMA / College Wrestling Pipeline includes next hot prospect Phil Davis on Penn State
Lehigh's head coach, Stroebel resigns head coaching position
http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2008/04/18/Sports/After.13.Seasons.Wrestling.Coach.Will.Switch.To.Administrative.Role-3332366.shtml
Haselrig captures two belts with first MMA fight
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/sports/local_story_112002023.html?keyword=topstory
MAWA West Results
MAWA North Results
MAWA South Results
West Greene wrestling coach resigns
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08111/874271-364.stm
Wrestling Coach, maker of champions killed by vehicle
Ex Parkland wrestling coach struck and killed
Haselrig starts new career in MMA
ESCAPE THE ROCK-Impressive field!!
SETS FIELD FOR 2009 TOURNAMENT
The field has been set for the next year’s Escape the Rock Tournament, which will take place on January 9 & 10, 2009 at Council Rock South High School in Holland, PA. The event has attracted some top teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. The newcomers this year are headlined by nationally ranked Central Mountain, who were the PA state tournament runner-up and 3rd at the PA state duals, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, who were in the top 4 at the NJ state duals and perennial Virginia state power Great Bridge. Also making their first appearance at Escape the Rock will be PA teams Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Fort LeBoeuf and Ridley. With the strength of the returning teams and the high quality of newcomers, the tournament has once again upgraded an already competitive field!
Team List for the 2009 Escape the Rock
Council Rock South (PA District 1)
Owen J. Roberts (PA District 1)
Ridley (PA District 1)
Delaware Valley (PA District 2)
Hazleton Area (PA District 2)
Big Spring (PA District 3)
Middletown (PA District 3)
Spring Grove (PA District 3)
Bald Eagle Area (PA Disrtict 6)
Bellefonte (PA Disrtict 6)
Central Mountain (PA Disrtict 6)
Fort LeBoeuf (PA District 10)
Bethlehem Catholic (PA District 11)
Parkland (PA District 11)
North Catholic (PA District 12)
Wyoming Seminary (PA Prep)
Hodgson Vo-Tech (Delaware)
Salesianum (Delaware)
Sussex Central (Delaware)
Absegami (New Jersey)
Lenape Valley Regional (New Jersey)
Paulsboro (New Jersey)
Phillipsburg (New Jersey)
Great Bridge (Virginia)
Enck accepts scholarship from Hofstra
http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/219904
Haddad headed for North Carolina
http://www.mcall.com/sports/highschool/all-s-haddad.6361503apr16,0,1169424.story
Lehigh inks 9 recruits
http://www.nj.com/sports/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/120857793290580.xml&coll=2
Lehigh addresses needs with recruits
http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/all-s-lehigh.6361502apr16,0,1294692.story
138, the Altons elected not to wrestle each other in the final being claimed co champions which is only allowed by brothers.
Brad Pataky Penn State-wins University Nationals
University Freestyle SemiFinals
55 Kg
Ross Gitiomer (Cavalier WC) vs. Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm)
Brad Pataky (Penn State) vs. Tony Mustari (Northern Colorado)
60 Kg
Daniel Dennis (Iowa) vs. Andrew Hochstrasser (Bronco WC)
Franklin Gomez (Michigan WC) vs. Alex Tsirtsis (Iowa)
63 Kg
Eric Albright (Free Fall WC) vs. Colby Pisani (Penn State)
Mike Thorn (Minnesota Storm) vs. Reece Humphrey (Ohio State)
66 Kg
Alex Krom (College Park) vs. Ryan Lang (Wildcat Wres)
Nathaniel Holt (Chippewa WC) vs. Aaron Martin (Chattanooga)
70 Kg
Jonathan Bonilla-Bowman (NYAC) vs. Tyler Safratowich (Minnesota Storm)
Joel Ahren (Naval Academy) vs. PJ Gillespie (NYC)
74 Kg
Michael Chaires (Cavalier WC) vs. Jake Kerr (Iowa)
Mike Poeta (Illinois) vs. Keith Gavin (Pittsburgh)
79 Kg
Dennis Galante (NYAC) vs. Ben Friedl (Illinois)
Chris Henrich (Cavalier WC) vs. Ross Taplin (Maverick WC)
84 Kg
Dave Bertolino (Cyclone WC) vs. Micky Moran (Buffalo)
Dustin Kilgore (Golden Pride) vs. Jake Herbert (Wildcat WC)
96 Kg
Eddie Phillips (Cliff Keen) vs. DJ Bruce (Valley WC)
Brent Jones (Cavalier WC) vs. Mike Tamillow (Wildcat WC)
120 Kg
Aaron Anspach (Penn State) vs. Zach Sheaffer (Pittsburgh)
Tervel Dlagnev (Sunkist Kids) vs. Dave Zabriske (Cyclone WC)
Video of Q. Wright decisioned at Dream match against Iowa
Brute National Duals Pennsylvania claims title
Nico Megaludis 108 Pennsylvania
Mitchell Port 117 Pennsylvania
Jimmy Hughes 124 Pennsylvania
Cortlandt Choate 130 Pennsylvania
Ryan Irvin 135 Pennsylvania
Jake O'Hara 140 Pennsylvania
Marshall Peppelman 145 Pennsylvania
Joey Napoli 157 Pennsylvania
Tony Dallago 157 Pennsylvania
Michael Evans 165 Pennsylvania
Josh Smith 176 Pennsylvania
Ed Ruth 176 Pennsylvania
Nicholas Ruggear 194 Pennsylvania
Antonio Giorgio 194 Pennsylvania
Travis Friend 220 Pennsylvania
Evan Craig 290 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania announces 2008 inductees to PWCA Hall of Fame
The list of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees is listed below.
The 2008 Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductees:
Maynard L. Aungst (wrestler) – Maynard is a 1958 graduate of Lock Haven High School. He attended Bloomsburg State College. At Lock Haven, he compiled a record of 58-5. He was a three-time District VI champion, a three-time Central Northwest Regional champion and two-time PIAA champion at 95 lbs. in 1956 and 103 lbs. in 1957. At Bloomsburg he completed one year with a 16-2 record. His only losses were memorable contests with the legendary Gray Simons of Lock Haven. Maynard subsequently competed for the Lock Haven YMCA, where he won five State and two National titles. Maynard eventually relocated to Savona, New York, where he was an assistant coach at Campbell-Savona High School for six years and Hammondsport High School for two years. His teams had a 52-28 record. He resides in Savona and is retired from Phillips Lighting Company.
David M. Becker (wrestler) – Dave is a 1974 graduate of Selinsgrove High School and a 1978 graduate of Penn State University, with a B.S. in kinesiology. He additionally took graduate credits in secondary education. At Selinsgrove High School, he compiled a 68-6 record of which he was 49-1 during his junior and senior years. In 1974, he was a District IV champion, a Northeast Regional champion and a PIAA class B champion at 155 lbs. At Penn State, Dave had a dual meet record of 42-4-3. In 1975 he was an NCAA Eastern Regional champion and was champion at the Eastern Wrestling League in 1976, 1977 and 1978 at 158 Lbs. He was a four-time NCAA Division 1 qualifier, placing 5th in 1978, losing to three-time NCAA champion, Lee Kemp in the semi-finals. In 1978, he was voted Penn State team captain. In 1980, Dave assisted Rich Lorenzo at Penn State and served as a volunteer assistant from 1981-1993. He resides in State College and is a certified financial planner (CFP) for Wienken and Association in Boalsburg, PA.
Jim Clark (coach/contributor) – Jim Clark is a 1972 graduate of Bedford High School and a 1976 graduate of Penn State University with a B.S. degree in health and physical education. Jim was a three-year letter winner at Bedford High School from 1969-72 and finished his senior campaign at BHS undefeated. He attended the Altoona Campus of Penn State University for two years and finished second in the 1974 Penn State Commonwealth Campus Championships and finished second the Pennsylvania State Freestyle Championships. In 1976, he was hired as Assistant Coach at Everett High School under head coach Norm Palovcsik before taking over the head coaching duties at Chestnut Ridge in 1977. He spent the next 31 years as head coach of the Lions amassing a 342-158-3 won-loss record. His teams won 18 tournament championships and six conference championships. In 2005-2006, his Ridge team finished undefeated among his 25 winning seasons as a head coach. During his tenure at Chestnut Ridge, he coached 56 District 5 champions, 40 Southwest Regional placewinners, six regional champions, 30 PIAA Class state qualifiers, nine state placewinners including the school’s first PIAA state champion – Gary Pfahler- in 2008. His has served on the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association’s Executive Committee for the past 24 years as Past President and Secretary. He has also been a PIAA-registered wrestling official for the past 24 seasons.
Mark P. Dugan (wrestler/contributor) – Mark is a 1978 graduate of Moshannon Valley High School, Morann, PA and a 1984 graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, MD, with a B.S. in health and physical education. At Mo-Valley, Mark accumulated a record of 97-9-1. He was a two-time District VI champion, a two-time Northwest Regional champion and a two-time PIAA Class AA champion in 1977 and 1978 at 112 lbs and 119 lbs, respectfully. He was the Outstanding Wrestler for Pennsylvania in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic and was named to the “Dream Team” at 119 lbs. During his high school career, Mark was active in post-season competition. He was a 1973 Junior Wrestling State Champion. In 1976, he won the National AAU Elite Division championships and traveled to Turkey as part of the US Nation High School Team. Mark was both a Middle Atlantic AAU Freestyle and Greco-Roman Champion in 1978. At the University of Maryland, Mark compiled a career record of 75-24. In 1983, he was coach at Moshannon Valley. From 1994 until the present, he has been the co-editor of “Off The Mat Weekly Rankings and Results”. For the past 17 years, he has been an independent financial consultant. He resides in Morann with his wife Vicki and children Sarah, Bridget and Patrick Haney.
Alan Scott Housner (wrestler) – Alan is a 1972 graduate of Mount Lebanon High School, Pittsburgh, PA and a 1977 graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN with a B.S. in health and physical education. In 1991, he earned an M.Ed. from National Lewis College in learning disabilities. At Mount Lebanon, Alan compiled a phenomenal record of 50-1. He was a two-time WPIAL champion. In 1971, he was a PIAA runner-up at 120 lbs. and in 1972 was the PIAA champion at 127 lbs. At Purdue, Alan had a 59-17 record. In 1975, he was a Big Ten runner-up and placed 6th in the NCAA championships. In 1976, he was a Big Ten champion and was recognized with the Purdue “Walk” Award. From 1985-1991, Alan was the head wrestling coach at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, IL, where his teams logged a 40-28 mark. He remains a teacher at Hinsdale Central and resides in Woodridge, IL.
Rick LaFerriere (coach/contributor) – Rick is a 1968 graduate of Shaler High School, Glenshaw, PA and a 1972 graduate of Edinboro State College in secondary education with a Masters in social studies at Slippery Rock University. At Shaler High, Rick was a three year letterman. He was team captain in 1968 and was WPIAL Section VIII wrestling champion at 138 lbs. At Edinboro, Rick competed on the freshman team and subsequently on varsity for three years and was a co-captain in 1972. He was runner-up in the PAWF championships in 1971 and 1972 was third in the Regional Freestyle Olympic trials. In 1972, Rick returned to his alma mater, Shaler, where he served as assistant wrestling coach until 1987 when he was elevated to the helm of head coach where he remained until 2006. There in 19 years, his teams logged a 247-100-1 record. His charges have clinched four sectional dual meet championships and were runners-up on six occasions. He has coached 52 sectional champions, 11 WPIAL champions, 19 PIAA place winners and 3 PIAA champions. One of his protégés, Troy Letters, was an NCAA champion for Lehigh University. Rick’s 2001 team was the WPIAL team champions. Rick has been a member of the US Wrestling Officials’ Association since 1978 and a FILA international official since 1990. He holds a FILA level II ranking and has officiated the 2002 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, along with 32 other international events, 38 national events including 14 Senior National championships. In 2007, Rick received the USWOA Lifetime Achievement Award. Rick is a retired teacher from Shaler School District and resides in Glenshaw, PA with his wife Nancy. He is the father of three children, Jeneane, Kristin and Michelle.
Ned McGinley (coach) – Ned is a 1961 graduate of Kingston High School (now Wyoming Valley West) and a 1965 graduate of Wilkes College with a B.S. in secondary education social studies. At Kingston High, he was a three-year letterman with a record of 44-4-1. He was undefeated in dual meets during his junior and senior years. He was a two-time District II champion and a one-time runner-up. In 1960, he was a runner-up in the Northeast Region. At Wilkes, Ned had a career record of 48-10-1 and was undefeated in dual meets in 1965. He was a runner-up in the Middle Atlantic Conference and the Wilkes Open. In 1963, he placed third in the NAIA Championships at 115 lbs. In 1968, Ned initiated the wrestling program at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre. In 39 years at the helm, his teams have compiled a record of 379-308-1. His 1996-97 squad was 19-3, while the 2000-01 team finished with a 19-2-1 mark. In 2002-03, King’s finished 11th in the Division III National Tournament and produced a pair of individual runners-up. Ned has coached 38 College Division/Division III National tournament qualifiers, 15 NCAA Division II All-Americans, 19 Middle Atlantic Conference individual champions and 29 NCAA Division III Scholar All-Americans. In 2002, King’s served as the host for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Ned resides in Wilkes-Barre with his wife Mary Ellen. They are the parents of three children, Seana, Edward Jr. and Bridget, along with five grandchildren. He remains as wrestling coach/admissions athletic coordinator at King’s College.
John C. Sefter (wrestler) – John is a 1974 graduate of State College High School and a 1978 graduate of Princeton University with a B.A. in economics. In 1986 he received his D.O. degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. At State College, John had an overall record of 54-6. He was a District VI runner-up in 1972 and 1973. In 1974, he won the District VI championships, the Northwest Regional championships and the PIAA Class A championships at the unlimited weight class. At Princeton, John compiled a career recorded of 84-9. He was an EIWA runner-up in 1976 and champion in 1977 and 1978. In 1978, he was an NCAA runner-up at the unlimited division. John holds the Princeton record for most falls in a career with 32. He received the Gifford Trophy in 1976, 1977 and 1978, which is awarded annually to the Princeton wrestler who scored the most points in competition during the season. In addition, he received the Treide Trophy in 1977 and 1978, which is awarded annually to the member of the Princeton varsity team, who by his spirit and sportsmanship has contributed most to the sport. From 1980-1982, John was a graduate assistant coach at Penn State. He currently resides in Towson, MD, where he is a spine surgeon in the firm of Orthopedic Associates in Towson. He joins his brother, Steve, as a member of the PA Coaches Hall of Fame.
Larry Suhey (wrestler) – Larry Suhey is a 1972 graduate of State College High School and a 1976 graduate of the Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Suhey competed for Hall of Fame coach Ron Pifer while competing as a three-year starter for State High. Suhey was a three-time District 6 and Central Northwest Regional champion and a two-time PIAA state champion at 180 lbs. in 1971 and 1972. His career record for the Little Lions was an impressive 64-3 with just one loss in dual meets. In the fall of 1972, he enrolled at Penn State where he was a two-sport letterman in wrestling and football for Hall of Fame coaches Joe Paterno and Bill Koll. Suhey is a Regional Sales Representative for the Balfour Company and resides in State College with his wife, Chris.
Don Thomas (wrestler) – Don Thomas is a 1946 graduate of Boswell High School, attended Waynesburg College from 1946-1948 before transferring to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1953. Don Thomas competed at Boswell High School for Hall of Fame coach Owen “Red” Horner where he won three District 5 titles and helped Boswell to the 1946 District 5 team championships. He competed in three PIAA State Championships, winning state titles in 1945 and 1946 at 154 pounds. His combined won-loss record in high school was 23-3-2. He matriculated to Waynesburg College in 1946, where, in 1948, he earned All-America honors by placing 4th at 160.5 pounds. He transferred to the Naval Academy in 1949-50, he competed on the Naval Plebe team. In 1950-51, Thomas finished second in the Eastern Intercollegiate Tournament and earned his second NCAA medal (at two different colleges), placing third at 167.