Hall of Fame: 2022 Archive
51 YEARS CELEBRATING THE SPORT OF WRESTLING
Each year, the PWCA inducts a select group of individuals into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Committee holds an official ceremony to honor the new class of inductees including a hospitality hour, banquet, and induction ceremony. Biographies of the PWCA Class of 2022 Hall of Fame inductees are available below. A list of all the previous Hall of Fame honorees is available on the Hall of Fame Archives page.
Nominations for the 2023 PWCA Wrestling Hall of Fame are now being accepted.
THE 2022 PWCA WRESTLING HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
The PWCA held its 53rd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Mountainview Country Club in Boalsburg, PA. The event included a full Hall of Fame program with a Hospitality Hour, Banquet, and the official Induction Ceremonies.
Ten individuals who contributed to the sport of wrestling either as competitors, coaches, referees, or as writers were inducted. Below is the list of the inductees and a short list of their accomplishments. In addition, the PWCA Executive Committee will be honoring this year's PIAA Coaches of the Year in Class AAA & AA, as well as, the Assistant & Junior High Coaches of the Year.
Class of 2022
Ray Brinzer, Frank Catrignano, Troy Dolan, Dane Johnson, Bob Kern, Matt Kline, Jerry Marks, Andy Rendos, Quentin Wright, and Shane Young.
The PWCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022
Ray Brinzer, Wrestler (District 7)
Ray Brinzer, Wrestler District 7, is a 1990 graduate of North Allegheny High School and a 1994 graduate of the University of Iowa. Ray had an outstanding scholastic career competing for Hall of Fame coach Gus DeAugustino. Ray finished his freshman campaign with a 35-5-1 record, finished third in the Southwest region tournament and placed 5th in the PIAA Class AAA championships. In his final three years competing for NA, Ray compiled a 108-0 won loss record. He won three WPIAL championships and three PIAA state championships in 1988, 1989 and 1990. He was a two-time USA Wrestling Junior National freestyle champion (1998, 1999) and one-time Greco-Roman champion in 1989 at Fargo. He finished his high school career with a 143-5-1 record. He enrolled at the Oklahoma State University, but after his freshman year when OSU was placed on probation, he transferred to the University of Iowa where he wrestled for Hall of Fame coach Dan Gable. Brinzer had success on the international level both in freestyle and Greco-Roman. He was a US National runner-up in Greco-Roman and qualified for the Greco-Roman team in 1998. He was fourth in the 1999 US Nationals in freestyle, as well, and won a number of international medals. Brinzer was a two-time Big Ten champion (1994, 1995), a three NCAA qualifier and a two-time All-American at Iowa, placing third in 1993 and 1995, both years at 177 pounds. In 1993, Brinzer dropped a 9-6 decision to eventual NCAA champion Kevin Randleman in the semi-finals and, in 1995, Ray lost a 4-2 decision to eventual champion Les Gutches from Oregon State in the semi-finals. In 1996, Ray was inducted into the Southwest Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame and joined the North Allegheny Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.
Frank Castringnano, Wrestler (District 2)
Frank Castringnano, Wrestler District 2, is a 1978 graduate of Meyers High School and a 1982 graduate of North Carolina State University. After a highly-successful junior high career, Frank captured three District 2 titles and two Most Valuable Wrestler awards in 1976 and 1977 while competing for Meyers High School. He was a three-time PIAA qualifier, losing in the preliminary rounds in 1976 to Bensalem’s Steve Scotton (7-7, 4-1 OT) and to J.P. McCaskey’s Chris Xakellis (9-2) in 1977. In his senior year, he posted a 30-0 record while winning a Northeast Regional and PIAA Class AAA state title at 138 pounds in 1978. Frank was also voted the Outstanding Wrestler in Class AAA, making him the only wrestler from Luzerne County to win the award. Castrignano joined teammates Jay Patterson and Charlie DeGraffenreid in winning the PIAA Class AAA state team championship. During his high school career, Frank received the Hooper Award for the best wrestler in Wyoming Valley, and was also named to the Top 50 wrestling in the country by USA Wrestling. He finished his high school career with a 73-5 won-loss record. Frank was a four-year starter at North Carolina State under Hall of Fame head coach Bob Guzzo. Frank was a four-time Atlantic Coast Conference placewinner, a three-time ACC finalist and won the ACC title in 1982. During his senior year for the Wolfpack squad, he served as team captain and was selected the team’s Outstanding Wrestler. He placed fifth in the NCAA Tournament. He finished his career at NC State with a 67-24-4 won-loss record. In 1983, Frank joined Coach Guzzo on the NC State coaching staff serving as an assistant coach and helped take the team to another ACC team championship. Frank is an honored member of the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame, inducted in 1994. In 2002, Frank was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference 50th anniversary wrestling team, recognizing 50 of the conference’s all-time great wrestlers.
Troy Dolan, Wrestler (District 7)
Troy Dolan, Wrestler District 7, is a 2007 graduate of Derry Area High School before attending the University of Missouri. After two seasons, he transferred to Lock Haven University before completing his competitive career at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Dolan had an outstanding scholastic career, winning four sectional and four WPIAL championships under head coach Mike Wood. He was a four-time Southwest region finalist, a three-time Southwest region champion, a four-time state qualifier and a three-time PIAA Class AA state champion. After going 1-2 in the 2004 PIAA Championships, Dolan won his first state title at 112 pounds in 2005 in a match-up of WPIAL finalist, defeating West Greene senior Justin Blumer in the state finals, 7-4. In another WPIAL match-up in the 119-pound state finals, the Trojan junior won his second state title in 2006, defeating Vitaly Ivanschecnko from South Park, 10-3. In his senior campaign in 2007, Dolan captured his third consecutive state title, defeating Southern Huntingdon senior Cody Myers in the championship finals, 6-1. He compiled a 170-9 career won-loss record in high school. Dolan participated in the 2007 Dapper Dan Classic where he defeated New Mexico’s Zach Sanders, 4-1. During his high school career, he claimed the 2006 Super 32 title and won the 2005 PowerAde Tournament at 119 pounds. In 2021, Troy was named the head wrestling coach at his high school alma mater. He is the owner and operator of the Takedown Wrestling Club and a member of the Derry Area Sports Honor Roll. In 2014, he was inducted into the Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Dane Johnson, Wrestler (District 7)
Dane Johnson, Wrestler District 7, was a 2009 graduate of Shady Side Academy and attended the University of Pittsburgh. Johnson was a two-time WPIAL Class AA champion and a three-time PIAA state champion. In 2006, as a freshman, Johnson dropped a 5-4 semi-final decision to eventual state champion John Prezzia from Southside Beaver before finishing 5th at 103 pounds. The following year, in 2007, Johnson defeated Prezzia in the quarter-finals (1-0), topped Reynolds’ Cody Kelly in the semi-finals (5-3) before outlasting Evan Yenolevich from Northwestern Lehigh in the 112-pound state finals, 9-7 in overtime. Johnson won his second state title at 125 lbs. after defeating Wyoming freshman Nick Hodgkins in the title bout, 7-2. In 2009, as a senior, Johnson outscored his four opponents by a combined 45-15 scores en route to the 140-pound state title, his third state crown. In the finals, he outclassed United High School sophomore Robert Henderson, 11-3, and was voted the PIAA Class AA Outstanding Wrestler. He finished his high school career with a 182-11 record. Dane participated in the 2009 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic where he was pinned by Florida’s Eric Grajales in 4:42. As a true freshman at Pitt, he won the Buffalo Open title and the following year, as a redshirt freshman, he won EWL championship at 149 pounds and qualified for the NCAA Championships. He was inducted into the Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015.
Bob Kern, Coach/Contributor (District 11)
Bob Kern, Coach/Contributor District 11, is a 1977 graduate of Bethlehem Freedom High School and a 1981 graduate of East Stroudsburg University. Prior to the 1980-81 wrestling season, Kern, then a senior student at ESU who was finishing his student teaching assignment, was appointed head wrestling coach at Northern Lehigh High School in Slatington, a position he held for 14 seasons. His coaching tenure vaulted the once floundering program on to the top of District 11 and Class AA state wrestling. He finished his NLHS coaching career with a 167-74-1 won-loss record and coached 17 PIAA state placewinners including state champions Larry Rehrig (1986), Ivan Rosario (1991) and Jeremy Dogmanits (1995). His teams achieved many accolades during his 14-year tenure. His teams captured two Centennial League Championships (81-82 and 82-83), three Centennial League Tournament Championships, the 1986 District 11 2A team title (1986), the Southeast Regional Title (1986) and the PIAA Class AA State Championship Team in 1985. In addition to his three state champions, he coached 33 Individual Centennial League Champions; Coached 14 Individual District XI Champions and 17 Individual Southeast Regional Champions. Following the 1995 state tournament, Kern walked away from coaching and into the wrestling officiating arena where he was equally successful. Kern served as the head referee of District 11 Class AA wrestling, succeeding Gene Waas who held the same role in Class AAA until he retired in 2006. Kern has held the distinction of being District 11’s No. 1 official for 11 years and has refereed seven state championship tournaments, establishing him as one of the state’s finest. Kern retired from officiating in 2015 and the following year was inducted into the Northern Lehigh Ring of Honor. In 2002, Kern was inducted into the District 11 Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Matt Kline, Wrestler (District 3)
Matt Kline, Wrestler District 3, is a 1964 graduate of Milton Hershey School and a 1968 graduate of Penn State University. At Milton Hershey, Matt Kline was a three-time National Prep School placewinner, finishing 4th at 148 in 1962 and 3rd at 157 in 1963 before claiming the National Prep 157-pound title in 1964. After graduating from Milton Hershey, Matt attended the now defunct Hershey Junior College for one year where he competed for Hall of Fame coach Sam Harry. In 1965, Kline won the National Junior College 167-pound national championship. He enrolled at Penn State 1965-66 where he was a teammate of PWCA HOFers Bob Funk and Rich Lorenzo and competed for another Hall of Famer, head coach Bill Koll. In 1967, Kline finished fourth at 160 pounds in the EIWA Championships before claiming the individual title at 160 in 1968. In the 1968, Eastern Tournament finals, Kline defeated Navy’s John Kent, 3-3, 1-1 split referee’s decision. In his only trip to the NCAA tournament in 1968, Kline achieved All-America honors by placing fourth in the NCAA Championships held at Penn State while Kent finished second at 152 pounds. Kline advanced to the NCAA semi-finals where he dropped a 4-3 decision to eventual champion Reg Wicks from Iowa State. Following graduation from Penn State, he spent the 1968-69 school year as a varsity wrestling and varsity football coach at his high school alma mater. Matt Kline has enjoyed a 30-year distinguished career in the tile and stone industry, working for major manufacturers such as Armstrong, American Olean and Dal Tile. His wife of 37 years, Sandy, is a designer and materials consultant in the residential tile and stone industry. Matt Kline is also a member of the Milton Hershey Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jerry Marks, Wrestler/Coach (District 4)
Jerry Marks, Wrestler-Coach District 4, is a 1988 graduate of Southern Columbia High School and a 1992 graduate of Bloomsburg University. In high school, Jerry was one of the exceptional athletes for the Tigers, excelling in both football and wrestling. As a football player from 1984 – 1988, Marks achieved All-Star honors as a running back and currently ranks 11th in Pennsylvania football history with 7,075 yards rushing despite having graduated 34 years ago. In wrestling, Jerry was a four-time state qualifier, a three-time state placewinner and a two-time PIAA champion. He placed 4th 185 in 1986 before capturing state titles in 1987 and 1988. Marks captured first state title after defeating previously unbeaten Bill Harris from Juniata in the 167-pound championship finals, 9-2. He repeated as state champion in 1988 when he defeated Pen Argyl senior Rick Sterner in the 185-pound state finals, 4-1. In his final wrestling competition, Marks participating in the 14th annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic where he defeated Irving, Texas’ Brad Knouse, 13-12. Marks finished his high school career with a 125-11-1 won-loss record. In college, he wrestled just one season before focusing on his football career for the Huskies. Marks took over as head coach at Southern Columbia in 2009-10, a position he held for 11 seasons. His teams won four District 4 Team Dual Meet championships and finished PIAA Class AA Team Dual Meet runners-up four times. In the PIAA postseason championships, he guided the Tigers to five South Section titles, three District 4 team championships and three Northeast regional titles. In 2019, Marks guided Southern Columbia to the 2019 PIAA Class AA state team title. Individually, he coached 30 state placewinners and ten state finalists including five state champions (Kent Lane – 2015, Jaret Lane – 2017 & 2018 and Gaige Garcia – 2019 & 2020). He guided his SCA team to an outstanding 116-28 won-loss record. Marks was voted PWCA Class AA Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2019. Following the 2019-20 wrestling season, Marks stepped down as head coach to spend more time with his family and continued his teaching duties in the Berwick Area School District.
Andy Rendos, Wrestler (District 9)
Andy Rendos, Wrestler District 9, is a 2006 graduate of Brockway High School and a 2010 graduate of Bucknell University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. In 2019, Andy received his MBA degree from Clarion University. In high school, Andy was a four-time District 9 champion, a two-time Northwest Region champion and was a four-time PIAA state qualifier. In 2004, Andy earned the first of his three state medals, finishing 8th in 2004 before capturing state titles in 2005 and 2006. Rendos earned his high school’s third state championship in 2015, following his brother Scott who won state titles in 2003 and 2004. In the 2005 state finals, Rendos defeated Reynolds sophomore Aaron Nestor, 2-0, and the following year, in 2006, he repeated as state champion, defeating Blairsville junior Matt Moore in the 152-pound state title, 4-3. Andy participated in the 2006 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic where he dropped a 12-4 decision to USA’s Darrion Caldwell. The Rover senior finished his high school career with a 144-16 record. At Bucknell, Andy became Bucknell’s first-ever EIWA champion when he won the 2010 165-pound title. Rendos qualified for four NCAA Championships and was a two-time NCAA All-American at 165 lbs., finishing 5th in 2009 NCAA Championships and 6th in 2010. Rendos was elected team co-captain all four years at Bucknell and was selected as a two-time recipient of the William A. Graham IV Most Outstanding Wrestler Award. In addition, he became the sixth wrestler in school history to win the Christy Mathewson Award as Bucknell’s Outstanding Male Athlete, an award he won in 2010. He finished his Bison career with a 121-32 dual
Quentin Wright, Wrestler (District 6)
Quentin Wright, Wrestler District 6, was a 2008 graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School and a 2013 graduate of Penn State University. As a youth, Quentin was a five-time Pennsylvania Jr. Wrestling finalist and a four-time PJW champion. At the 2005 Cadet National Tournament, he captured bronze medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. While competing for BEA, Quentin was a four-time District 6 champion, a four-time Northwest Regional champion and a four-time PIAA state qualifier. At the state tournament, Quentin was a three-time state finalist and a two-time PIAA Class AAA state champion in 2007 and 2008. In 2006, Wright finished second in his first trip to the state finals, dropping an 8-5 decision to Nazareth’s Tim Darling in the 145-pound finals. In 2007, Wright became Bald Eagle Area’s 8th state champion in school history when he topped Canon-McMillan’s Matt Ryan in the Class AAA 160-lb. state finals, 6-3. He repeated as state champion in 2008 when he decked Jersey Shore’s Joe Loffredo in 2:28 of the 171-pound title bout. In both 2007 and 2008, he defeated future Nittany Lion teammate Ed Ruth from in their semi-finals match-up by 7-4 and 10-8 scores respectively. He completed his scholastic career with a 154-14 won-loss record. Wright was selected to represent Pennsylvania at 171 pounds in the 2008 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, defeating USA’s Chris Spangler, 9-4. His success extended to the national level as well. Perhaps most notably, Wright won 2008 FILA Junior National Freestyle championship and was second in Greco-Roman. He represented Team USA on the 2008 Junior World team and brought home a bronze medal. At Penn State, Quentin was a standout performer for head coach Cael Sanderson. He was a two-time Big Ten champion, a four-time NCAA All-American, and a two-time NCAA finalist, winning titles in 2011 and 2013. After finishing sixth in 2009, Wright defeated Lehigh’s Robert Hamlin in the 174-pound NCAA finals in 2011. In 2012, he lost in the NCAA semi-finals in overtime to former State College and Cornell wrestler Steve Bosak and finished third before winning his second title in 2013 against defending NCAA champion Dustin Kilgore from Kent State, 8-6. He completed his collegiate career with a 116-23 record. Presently, Wright serves as the head wrestling coach at Tyrone High School.
Shane Young, Wrestler (District 7)
Shane Young, Wrestler District 7, was a 2009 graduate of Penn Trafford High School and 2013 graduate of West Virginia University. Shane Young was a three-time section, three-time WPIAL and a three-time Class AAA PIAA state champion in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In addition, Young was a three-time Powerade and Westmoreland County champion as well as a two-time King of the Mountain Tournament champion. After finishing his freshman season with a 21-18 record, the Warrior standout finished his final three seasons with a 132-1 record. In 2007, Young defeated Bellefonte’s Mitchell Port in the 103-lb. semi-finals, 10-3, before topping Council Rock South’s Mark Rappo in the finals, 5-2. Young won his second state title when he defeated Central Dauphin’s Simon Rice in the semi-finals at 112, 8-3, and Emmaus’ Taylor Brown in the title bout, 8-3. In 2009, Young rebounded from his only loss in his final three years to Port in the King of the Mountain Tournament finals to win his second third state title, defeating Rice in the semi-finals (3-2) before edging Blue Mountain’s Tyler Rauenzahn in the 119-pound finals, 5-3 in overtime. Young completed his scholastic career with a 153-19 record. In the 2009 Dapper Dan Classic, Young defeated Tyler Cox from Wyoming, helping the Pennsylvania All-Star team to defeat the United States, 30-21. Young was voted the Team Pennsylvania Outstanding Wrestler. He was a four-year starter at West Virginia where he qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times while amassing an 81-32 won-loss record. He is a member of the Southwest Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame, inducted in 2015.