Feb 23, 2015 3 min read

Cody Wiercioch attributes much of his success to his best friend, Nicholas F. Gavazzi. So when he learned Gavazzi died Monday following a car crash in Armstrong County, Wiercioch was devastated.

“He was an amazing guy,” Wiercioch, of Canonsburg, said. “Everything he did, he did to the fullest. He got me where I am today.”

Wiercioch is currently a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, and a member of the university’s wrestling program. He said the pair met during grade school at Charleroi Area School District and maintained their friendship even after Wiercioch transferred to Canon-McMillan School District.

He said Gavazzi’s death will impact the small town where he grew up.

“Everyone knows each other. It’s like one big family,” he said. “Nick was always happy. He always had a smile on his face.”

The 18-year-old Clarion University student and 2014 Charleroi Area High School valedictorian was killed early Monday when his vehicle collided with a coal truck about 8 a.m. along State Route 28/66 near Hayes Run Road in Rayburn Township, Armstrong County. Gavazzi died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the coal truck, William M. Gathers Jr., 55, of Sligo was not injured.

Charleroi Area High School Principal Patricia Mason fondly recalled Gavazzi, calling him an excellent student. She called his death “tragic.”

“We are all still shocked,” Mason said. “News traveled around at the end of the day, after the kids (had left). One teacher who was fairly close with him told me that if ‘Gavazzi missed a point, she would double check her answer key,’ that’s how smart he was.”

Mason said Gavazzi, who was a student athlete, was “always trying to improve,” and was active with student council.

Gavazzi was a freshman at Clarion studying Chemistry. He was also a member of the university’s wrestling team. Bill Wiltz, athletic director at Charleroi, called Gavazzi an “All-American kid.”

“He was the whole package – intelligent, athletic. good-looking. This is just devastating,” Wiltz said. “He was loved in the community,”

Wiltz said Gavazzi was a multisport athlete who always gave 100 percent.

“He played a little bit of soccer, and everything he did, he put his heart into it,” he said. “Wrestling was his real love.”

Gavazzi won the 2013 WPIAL championship at 138 pounds and finished fifth at the PIAA state championships that same year. He suffered a shoulder injury his senior season and was listed on the Clarion’s official athletic website as taking a medical redshirt for the 2015 wrestling season.

Charleroi Area School District Superintendent Edward Zelich said news of Gavazzi’s death will have a lasting effect.

“We are in shock and disbelief,” Zelich said. “He was an amazing young man.(Tuesday) will be a rough day.”

Counseling services will be available to staff and students, Zelich said.

Wiercioch said Quest for Wrestling, a wrestling club in Canonsburg he and Gavazzi participated in, is making t-shirts in Gavazzi’s honor. The shirts will be sold for a profit and the proceeds will be donated to Gavazzi’s family to help cover funeral expenses.

The crash remains under investigation.

Staff writer Joe Tuscano contributed to this story.