Bobcats Honor Greats With Legends Return Night (01/21/16)
The Clarion Area Wrestling Boosters honored their past greats with a special Ceremony preceding the Varsity Match with Curwensville, at theClarion Area High School Gym on Thursday, January, 15th.
Jayme Dehner shares this article:
Back in August 2015, the officers of the Clarion Area Wrestling Booster Club thought it would be great to recognize past members of the wrestling community in some way that would help spotlight wrestling and bring Clarion Area’s wrestling heritage to the fore front.
“Bobcat Legends”
That is how “Legend’s Return” night was started. “Legend’s Return” night was designed to recognize Clarion Area’s wrestling standouts who were District, Regional, and State place winners and Champions as well as our legendary coaching staff and plans are to expand that in the future.
These gentlemen embodied the history that has helped make Clarion Area’s wrestling program the successful program that it is today. They set the bar high for future young men and women to strive to be like. Many people don’t know that Clarion Area has had 30 District Champions
The history of Clarion’s wrestling program was traced back to 1967. In attendance for the “Legend’s Return” event were:
First Bobcat Head Coach Joe Izzi
Coach Joe Izzi. Coach Izzi was the wrestling coach from 1970-1974 and again from 1980-1984.
Ken Minich: Wrestled 1971-1973. Took 2nd all 3 years at 88#, 103# and 105# at Districts.
John Stroup: Wrestled 1970-1975. 1973, 1974, 1975 he took 4th, 1st and 2nd at 167# and 185#. John later returned to Clarion Area to coach Elementary, Jr High and Asst Varsity Coach.
Coach Larry Wiser. Coach Wiser was the wrestling coach from 1974-1980 and again from 1984-1989.
Greg Smathers: Wrestled from 1977-1980. In 1979 and 1980, he took 1st and 3rd at HWT at Districts.
Leany Rapp: Wrestled from 1980-1983. In 1983, he was 3rd at 167#. Accepting honors was his father, Harold Rapp, whom also wrestled for Clarion during his high school career.
Current Bobcat Wrestlers greet “Legends”
Ron Rapp: Wrestled for Clarion from 1982-1986. In 1986, he took 2nd at Districts at 167#. He has coached Elementary and Assistant coach for many years.
Coach Bill Grove: Coach Grove coached Elementary and Junior High wrestling from 1986-2000.
Coach Dr. Randy Cathcart: Coach Cathcart coached at Clarion from 1982 – 2002. He won Coach of the Year honors in 1986 and 1987. He amassed a combined team record of 192-126-4. During his wresting days, Dr. Cathcart was the 145# PA State Champion and was a 3 time District 9 Champion and the 145# Regional Champion for Curwensville in 1977. Dr. Cathcart is the proud father of 2 accomplished wrestling alumni, Cory and Kyle.
Coach Lee Weber: Coaching at Clarion Area since 1992 to present. He has coached Elementary, Varsity and Junior High and won Coach of the Year honors in 2002 while coaching at Punxsutawney Area High School. Lee is the current Junior High Head Coach.
Dave “Dude” Walters: Long standing Booster Club President for 6 years, former wrestler, father of District place winner, Danny Walters (2008, 2010, 2011 – 2nd each year at 160#) and a very proud Clarion Area wrestling supporter.
Jayme Dehner leading the festivities
Kyle Cathcart: Wrestled 1998-2002. Kyle is a 4 time District 9 Champion in 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002 at 160#, 171# & 189#. He was Regional Champion in 2000, 2001 & 2002. Kyle was 171# State Champion in 2000, 189# State Champion in 2001 and 189# State Runner-Up in 2002. He amassed 94 pins and earned the honor of Outstanding District Wrestler in 1999 and 2002.
Bryan Kiskadden: In 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 he placed 4th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd at Districts at 112# & 119# all 4 years. He has helped coach elementary wrestling at Clarion the last few years. District 9 all time win leader career record was 99-34.
Matt, Watterson: Wrestled 1999-2002. He placed 4th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd at 125# and 130# in all 4 years at Districts.
Brian Luton: In 2002 and 2003 Brian took 4th and 1st at 145# at Districts and was the 2003 Regional Champion. Brian coached Jr. High and Asst. Varsity at Clarion Area for 7 years and is currently officiating high school wrestling.
Kenny Kiskadden: Placed 4th and 3rd at Districts at 112# and 135# in 2005 and 2007. District 9 all time win leader career record was 91-51.
Brad Rapp: In 2005, 2006, 2007 Brad took 4th, 1st, and 1st in Districts at 160# and 171#. After high school he wrestled at Slippery Rock for 2 years competing in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association. District 9 all time win leader career record was 116-32.
Dylan Reinsel: Wrestled 2007 – 2010. Placed 3rd at Districts in 2010 at 135#. He is currently the Assistant Varsity Coach at Clarion High School and has been helping coach since 2011.
Jacob Troutman: In 2012 and 2015 Jake placed 4th and 2nd at Districts. Son of Greg & Luneda Troutman, Jake is currently serving our country in the Air Force and is stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Bill Bailey: Current Clarion Wrestling Booster Club President, Bill was also 1974 Clearfield Regional Champion at 185# and State Runner up at 185#. Bill is the proud father of a senior Clarion Area wrestler. Bill was inducted into the District IX Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 and is inducted into the EWL Hall of Fame.
Coach Rob Sintobin: Varsity Wrestling Coach since 2003 at Clarion Area and proud father of Clarion Area senior wrestler.
It is our hope, as a booster club and as avid fans of wrestling, to inspire young boys and girls to get involved in the sport of wrestling. We hope to continue with the “Legend’s Return” event as an annual or semi annual event and hope each year our numbers will increase every year as more and more wrestling alumni can return and celebrate Clarion’s rich wrestling history with the generations to follow.
(Thanks to Jayme Dehner, and the Boosters for this article. GREAT LEGACY TO FOLLOW, LEGENDS!!!!)