February- National Wrestling Month:  I officially announce February as National Wrestling Month!  Why you ask?  First off, because the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow on February 2^nd in a big wrestling region in the North East which, of course, signals 6 more weeks of wrestling.  Second, President’s Day is February 15^th and as you may know, 13 presidents wrestled including Washington and unbeaten Lincoln.  Also, country singer Garth Brooks, who attended Oklahoma State and was honorary captain of the 1996 Olympic Wrestling team, turned 48 years old on February 7^th as did actor Ashton Kutcher, a former high school wrestler from Iowa, who turned 32 on the same day.  Finally, most states are starting their state team dual championships and/or their road to the individual state championships.

14 minus 3 and 10 + 1 = Success:  When I wrestled in high school in the late 70’s, there were 12 weight classes, and that was plenty.  In fact, most teams had a full back-up team.  At Altoona Area HS, we had two full back-up teams. 
     I was in complete agreement and, in fact, helped get the PIAA to add the 215 lb. weight class as President of the District Six Coaches Association.  However, I believe wrestling is sending out the perception that it is a dying sport to administrators and the public every time they see a forfeit in the newspaper.  Sometimes, there are as many as five or six forfeits.  I even see box scores where some of the best high school teams in the country forfeit weight classes.  Why is it that man’s toughest and most demanding sport has the most starters of any other sport with 14?  Numerous kids are thrown into a starting line-up, not because they earned the spot or have the needed wrestling skills but just to fill a weight class.
     My theory is “less is more”.  What I mean by this is most teams on average will have at least 20 to 22 kids come out for wrestling.  If there were only 11 starting spots, they would want a chance to wrestle, which would bring back the JV or FV (future varsity).
     I also believe in consistency in sports.  For example, there are nine baseball players from little league to the professional level, 11 football players from middle school to the NFL, and there are five basketball players from elementary to the NBA.  Why not 11 wrestlers from elementary to the Olympics?  College definitely needs a 225 lb. to 235 lb. weight class.  In fact, on the national college club level, they have a 235 lb. weight.  This would put college at 11 weights.
     Some may say participation would be decreased, but why not do what basketball and football do and have separate seventh, eighth and ninth grade teams?  Offering 11 weight classes in high school and junior high would, without a doubt, add to the quality of wrestling in dual-meets.  Plus, it would make it easier for the fans as it would shorten the length of time for a dual and especially for tournaments.
     Story Made for Hollywood:  The January 15^th issue of Amateur Wrestling News had a tremendous article on the Peery family written by Denny Diehl.  This is the type of story that movies are made of, no matter the sport.  It is a must read. 
     Rex Peery got married at age 19 and began college and wrestling for the legendary coach Ed Gallagher at Oklahoma State during the Great Depression.  He and his wife Clara had their first child Hugh, during Rex’s first year in college.  Rex went on to win three NCAA titles for the Cowboys.  A few hours before Rex won his third title, a telegram informing Rex of his newest son Ed (named after his coach), was delivered on the mat just before his final bout!
     The story gets better.  His two sons each went on to also win three NCAA titles for their father at the University of Pittsburgh.  Rex coached at Pittsburgh for 16 years (1950-65) and amassed a record of 116-43-3, coached nine NCAA champions and had 12 top 10 teams and four teams finish in the top three.
     Both Hugh and Ed began wrestling competitively as sophomores in high school and both became 2x state champions; Hugh in Oklahoma, and Ed at Shaler HS in PA.  Ed went 48-1 for Shaler, and as Diehl reports, his only loss was to Dean Seese of Clearfield in the state finals his senior year by referee’s decision!  Interestingly enough, Hugh went 56-1 and Ed went 51-1 for the Pittsburgh Panthers.  Their father, Rex, never lost in high school or college, and also lettered twice on the baseball team.
     Show Me the Wrestling:  In great inter-district dual clashes among some of PA’s best teams, wouldn’t you like to see these matches on video: Bedford 33-Northern Bedford 30, Reynolds over Ridgway 33-27 or Northampton 39 Easton 36.  Speaking of Reynolds and Bedford, the Raiders have a 106 match regular season winning streak going and the Bisons have won 48 in a row!
     Dahlheimer of Lycoming Makes Cover:  Kudos to Chris Dahlheimer of Lycoming for making the cover of the winter 2010 NCAA Champion Magazine.  The 6’2” senior is pictured in his singlet in a low level wrestling stance with sweat beading off of him.  Dahlheimer, who wrestled at Red Lion HS, was an All-American last year finishing 7^th in the country at 165 lbs.  He has a near perfect GPA in computer science and is a NWCA All-Academic selection.  Currently he is 18-1 on the season for the Warriors.
     This is significant for the sport of wrestling because every athletic director in the country and every coach in every NCAA sport receive a copy of this 114-page glossy magazine.
     Curious Quotes:  Rex Peery used to say, “If you like to work, you’ll love to wrestle!”  Penn Cambria senior Pat Myers (125), a 3x Dist. 6 runner-up with 127 career victories, told Todd Irwin of the Altoona Mirror, “Wrestling is my life; I enjoy it like a fat kid likes cake.”
     Big Night in Happy Valley:  Nearly 5,000 fans watched Penn St. defeat 19^th ranked Illinois 24-11 on January 22 as senior Adam Lynch pinned No. 11 Ryan Prater after trailing 2-0 at 141 lbs.  Lynch (Mifflinburg) is 10-9 on the season thus far.
     The other highlight of the evening besides the electrifying atmosphere was the attendance of PSU President Graham Spanier.  How many schools can say their president ever attended a match?

     Joe is the founder of PWN.  You can reach him by email at: BaranikJJ@sapc.edu .