Jan 31, 2016 6 min read

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column about what the lineup would look like for the Greatest Wrestling Match in the Washington-Greene County area.

After a lot of research, a list of the best wrestlers in the area was compiled and divided into two groups, one that competed before 1980 and one that competed after. Those two groups were assigned weight classes that were at or near where they had their greatest moment. Some of those selected are no longer with us. But imagination allowed the dual meet to take place.

We asked that wrestling fans determine the outcome of this dual meet by submitting votes on line. Well, the response was overwhelming with 6,510 votes cast and an average of 465 votes cast for each match.

Votes came from as far away as California, Washington and North Dakota and one as far away as Kuwait.

So, here are the results with the outcomes based on the voting margins:

In the closest bout of the 14, Gavin Teasdale, the undefeated state champion from Jefferson-Morgan, uses his speed and quickness to score at the end of the match to defeat Manuel Pihakis, a three-time state champion from Canonsburg. The post-1980 team is up 3-0. The vote went to Teasdale, 235-230.

My choice: Teasdale by a point, in overtime.

The perfection of George Custer, an undefeated (76-0), three-time state champion from Canonsburg, did not impress the voters. This match falls squarely to Phil Mary of Chartiers-Houston, a two-time state champion. The major decision puts the post-1980 team up 7-0. The vote was 320-140 for Mary.

My choice: I never saw Custer wrestle but I saw the havoc Mary produced. Mary by decision.

This bout would have been worth the price of the ticket by itself. Waynesburg’s James Conklin, the first four-time PIAA champion, battles Jeremy Hunter, a four-time state champion from McGuffey. But voters thought this would be a rout for Hunter, who would add another major decision for the post-1980 team to make the score of the dual meet 11-0. The vote was 306-143 for Hunter.

My choice: For the first time, I differ from the voters. Conklin by a decision.

Pre-1980 head coach Dr. William A. Harris has to be concerned because his team is trailing 11-0. It gets worse at this weight, where Coleman Scott, a three-time state champion from Waynesburg, routs Jerry Lattimore, a two-time state champion from Trinity by major decision. That gives the post-1980 team a 15-0 lead. The vote went Scott’s way, 375-81.

My choice: I’m back with the voters. Scott by decision.

Chris Mary, the head coach of the post-1980 team, sends out who many believe is the greatest scholastic wrestler in the country, Cary Kolat. He sure is loved by the voters. But there is much to love about Kolat, an undefeated four-time state champion from Jefferson-Morgan. His opponent, Kenny Evans, a two-time state champion from Trinity, becomes the 138th straight victim of Kolat on the high school level aftera major decision. That makes it 19-0. The vote for Kolat was 427-38.

My choice: Kolat by major decision.

Nick Petronka, a two-time state champion from Washington, gets the pre-1980 team its first points of the dual meet with a clutch win over Dave Thomas, a state champion from Waynesburg. By mutual agreement, John Hosage, who some feel robbed Thomas of a second state title, does not referee the bout. The major decision brings the pre-1980 team within 11, 19-4. Petronka’s vote advantage was 315-134.

My choice: Petronka by a decision.

In another close bout, Solomon Chishko, a two-time state champion from Canon-McMillan, has to go to overtime against Veryl Long, a state champion at Trinity. He goes to ultimate rideout for the win that puts the post-1980 team up 22-4. Chishko wins the vote, 254-202.

My choice: Long wins this one in overtime.

There is concern on the sideline of the pre-1980 team. The match is at its midpoint and wins are neeeded to rally the team. John (Bimbo) Chatman, a two-time state champion from Trinity, provides the spark with a major decision over Doug Haines, a state champion from Waynesburg with a devastating headlock move. Chatman avoids the move and comes away with a major decision to cut the post-1980 team’s lead to 22-8. The vote went Chatman’s way, 280-178.

My choice: Chatman was a beast on the mat.

George O’Korn, a two-time state champion from Canonsburg, keeps the rally going with a strong effort against Keilan O’Daniel, a state champion from Canon-McMillan. Another major decision for the pre-1980 team cuts the lead to 22-12. The vote for O’Kron was 308-160.

My choice: O’Korn wins a close one.

Cody Wiercioch, who won two Class AAA state tites at Canon-McMillan and one at Charleroi, stops the pre-1980 team’s run with a decision over Tom Alberts, a two-time state champion from Waynesburg. The lead goes out to 25-12. The vote was 280-176 for Wiercioch.

My choice: Wiercioch by decision

Malvin Podrasky, a two-time state champion from Canonsburg, comes up with a big win at this weight class, taking a close decision from Nick Richmond, a state champion from McGuffey. That’s a win in three of the last four bouts for the pre-1980 team and it cuts the lead to 25-15.

My choice: Podrasky by decision

Like he did so many times in high school, Aaron Gatten, a two-time state champion from Washington, competed best when needed most. He comes away with an overtime win against John Mullins, a two-time state champion from Chartiers-Houston. The post-1980 team clinches the dual meet with a 28-15 lead with two bouts to go. Gatten wins the vote, 247-218.

My choice: Gatten was always clutch.

The pre-1980 team is disappointed, but Bill George, a two-time state champion from Waynesburg, doesn’t let it affect him. He dominates Jake Temple, a state champion from Avella, taking a major decision, 28-19.

My choice: I wish I could have seen George wrestle. He dominates here.

With the huge crowd on its feet and noise level reaching ear-shattering levels, C.J. Wonsettler, a state champion from Bentworth finishes off the win for the post-1980 team with a one-point decision over Bill Bertrand, a state champion from Burgettstown. That gives the post-1980 team a 31-19 victory. Wonsettler’s vote lead was 284-178.

My choice: Wonsettler by decision.

The two teams cross the middle of the mat to offer congratulatory handshakes. Then both line up for post-match team pictures. In a show of sportsmanship, the two teams gather at mid mat and have a group picture taken. And they decide to do this again in the not-too-distant future.

Assistant sports editor Joe Tuscano can be reached at jtuscano@observer-reporter.com