Jan 2, 2024 6 min read

By John Sacco

In an era when weightlifting was not nearly as popular as it is today, Burgettstown High School’s Bill Bertrand stood out.

He was powerful, possessed brute strength and had a motor that defied human limits.

If one was to get the better of him on the wrestling mat, it truly would take a Herculean effort.

“Bill was one of the, if not the, naturally strongest human beings I’ve known,” said his friend Terry Havelka. “He was an uncommonly strong individual.”

Havelka, an outstanding athlete and coach at Burgettstown in his own right, introduced Bertrand to wrestling as a youth.

For some unknown reason, Bertrand is one the more underrated and unheralded standout athletes in Washington County history. Bertrand won three WPIAL wrestling championships. He was also the1975 PIAA champion at 185 pounds.

As a fullback and linebacker, Bertrand helped lead the Blue Devils to consecutive Black Hills Conference football titles in 1973 and ’74.

He attended Penn State for wrestling.

“I never lifted weights,” Bertrand said. “But I exercised and was always moving. I did what I was told to do. I never really thought I was that good.”

He was that good.

In 1976, he won the Eastern Regional Olympic Trials championship at Clarion University at 198 pounds.

“Looking back on it, being a three-time WPIAL champion is an honor and I’m proud to be one of them,” Bertrand said. “Any given day, a result can be different. It’s mental and physical.”

Bertrand compiled a career record of 75-3-1. He was a Cadet champion in the Burgettstown youth program and a top performer in junior high school.

He is one of three boys in his family. His brothers are Harry “Buddy” Bertrand the late Tom Bertrand. Tom was a PIAA wrestling medalist.

Bill Bertrand resides in Elizabethtown, which is in the Northwest corner of Lancaster County, with his wife, Joey.

Bertrand is known for four bouts:

* Bertrand upset defending state champion George O’Korn of Canon-McMillan, 13-8, in the 1973 WPIAL Class AAA finals at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House.

* He won his PIAA title in 1975 by disqualification over Jamie Casale of Greensburg Catholic, who was called for an illegal slam. The PIAA doctor determined Bertrand could not continue and became a state champion.

* In the Wrestling Classic, shortly after his state title, he was pitted against Shawn Whitcomb of Grand Rapids, Mich. Whitcomb had 88 career falls coming into the exhibition and was heavily favored. Bertrand humiliated Whitcomb, 14-1.

* Bertrand won the 198-pound class at the Eastern Regional Olympic wrestling trials, defeating Mike Lieberman, an NCAA champion for Lehigh in1975.

In the state finals against Casale, Bertrand was booed and pelted with debris leaving Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg on a stretcher. Casale held a lead late in the third period. A second illegal slam left Bertrand on the mat. He could not see straight ahead but maintained peripheral vision. Two doctors, working for the PIAA, determined he could not continue and ordered him to be taken to the hospital.

“I wanted to continue,” Bertrand said.

Even when he won the ultimate prize in PIAA wrestling — a state title — Bertrand was denied his just due, the victim of two illegal slams.

Casale received a standing ovation.

Even in his convincing win over O’Korn, it seemed more felt empathy for O’ Korn than happiness for Bertrand.

“Back then it was a big (win),” Bertrand said. “The atmosphere was exciting, a big crowd. I knew the only way to beat him was to wrestle hard, aggressive and smart.”

Bertrand did take exception to a quote from O’Korn published in a story that appeared in the Observer-Reporter (Dec. 18, 2017).

In speaking about their WPIAL title match, O’Korn said: “We knew (Bertrand) was good. He hated me and was so focused. I could not match his urgency. My focus wasn’t anywhere what it needed to be.”

“I don’t hate anybody,” Bertrand said. “I respected everyone I wrestled. I wanted to win every time. I had the utmost respect for (O’Korn). I came from a small rural school district.

“I didn’t think I was as good as I ended up being. I know I had to work hard.”

His win in the Wrestling Classic and Eastern Regional Olympic trials were vindication and defining moments in his career.

Injuries slowed him down but did not stop him. He also was a bruising, All-Conference running back for the Blue Devils. He was integral to Burgettstown’s 1973 and 1974 Black Hills Conference championships, 20 straight regular-season wins and WPIAL postseason appearances.

He had a flair for the dramatic, largely related to the work ethic – born and nurtured by his parents – and all-out effort.

That is some of what Bertrand, one of Burgettstown High School’s best all-around athletes, endured and experienced in his scholastic career.

“Bill definitely faced some adversity,” Havelka said. “It was at different points and times. He overcame those obstacles and the bottom line is he became a great person.”

More than a sport

Bertrand, 67, who is retired, established himself in the field of education, curriculum content, technology and engineering, STEM, coaching, firefighting and emergency medical services. He was with the Department of Education.

“I’ve had a very good career and I am driven to do my best,” Bertrand said. “My parents (Peggy, a pioneer among female wrestling referees, and Deane) instilled that in me. They always encouraged me to try my best and not to be afraid of challenges.

“I thirst for knowledge. I’ve always wanted to know more and search for answers to questions. I love history and I like to do research.

“I taught woods and metals. I can draw it and build it. I love putting it together.”

Havelka said he’s not surprised at Bertrand’s professional success and the importance of all the positions he’s held.

“He’s a smart guy,” Havelka said. “Bill was a good student. He was especially good with math.

“We grew up together and he made his mark. He went on to make a bigger mark.”

John Sacco writes a column about local sports history for the Observer-Reporter.