May 23, 2015 3 min read

Perhaps no Class AA school in the area has produced as many brother combinations who participated in wrestling than West Greene.

Here are the Pioneers’ brother acts:

Gary and Shawn Whyte – Gary was a two-time PIAA placewinner (fourth-place and runner-up). Shawn’s 148 wins is the school record. Both Whytes competed in the Dapper Dan Classic. Their father and uncles all wrestled.

Chet and Dick Tedrow – Chet placed fourth in the state in 1993. Dick was a two-time state placewinner.

Rik and “Buzzy” Walters – Rik was a two-time WPIAL champion, winning in 1983 and ’84. He wrestled at Edinboro University and for the United States Marines. Their father is hall-of-fame coach John “Buzz” Walters.

Doug, Jay, Ernest “Bucky” and Arleigh “Scuffy” Closser – Doug was a WPIAL champion in 1968 and was the school’s first state tournament participant. Jay was a three-time section champion (1969, ’70 and ’71). Their father is former Waynesburg High School coach Ernie Closser.

Allen, Charlie and Curt Hughes – Curt was section champ in 1975. Allen and Curt each went on to become head coaches of the West Greene program.

Justin and Wes Watson – Justin was WPIAL champ in 1994 and placed fourth in the PIAA tournament. Wes was a two-time WPIAL champion, in 1995 and ’96.

Denny and Jerry Rutan – In 1990, Denny was a WPIAL champion. Jerry was a two-time state qualifier. Their, sister, Nikki, also wrestled.

Justin and Colton Blumer – Justin was WPIAL and state runner-up in 2006. Colton won a WPIAL title in 2010 and wrestled in the Dapper Dan Classic.

Garett and Matt Johnston – A section champion in 2007, Garrett is currently the head coach at Chartiers-Houston. Matt was a 2013 state qualifier and is the assistant coach at West Greene.

Josh, Wade and Jake Durbin – All wrestled on the same team at West Greene. Each of the three won a section title. Josh and Wade went on to the Air Force Academy.

Paul, Luke and Jon Vitolo – Jon was a regional champion in 2001, while Luke placed eighth in the state tournament in 2000.

Rodney and A.J. Wilson – Rodney was a two-time WPIAL champion and the WPIAL’s all-time leading rusher in football.

Randy and Ronnie King – Ronnie was a two-time section champion.

Larry and Ronnie Crouse – Ronnie was a runner-up in the WPIAL tournament in 1975.

Mark and Jeff Grimes – Jeff was a regional champion in 1991 and competed in the Dapper Dan Classic.

Bobby, Billy and Troy Simms – Billy placed fourth in the Southwest Regional in 1988 is currently the athletic director at West Greene. He is a member of the WPIAL wrestling steering committee and was very helpful providing information on West Greene wrestling.

Some others who were not on the previous list of brothers who wrestled at Wash High:

Curtis and Rodney Fuqua; Eric and Aaron Williams; Mike and Dave D’alessandro; and Aaron and Justin Gatten. Aaron was a state champion.

Bill DiFabio writes a column for the Observer-Reporter on local sports history.