Sunday, March 10, 2002
There's no doubt about it. Thiel College wrestlers have a lock on the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship.
For the third consecutive season, the Tomcats walked away with the PAC title and they accomplished the feat under first-year coach, Jerry Tennant.
At Waynesburg's Rudy Marisa Gymnasium on Feb. 14, the Tomcats racked up 132 points, claiming champions in six of the 10 weight classes, to finish ahead of Washington & amp; Jefferson (94 points), and Waynesburg (68.5).
Tomcats dominate: The Tomcats have won 12 titles in the 44 years the PAC has crowned a wrestling team champion. And for his efforts, Tennant was named PAC Coach of the Year, quite an honor for a first-year coach.
Claiming individual wins for the Tomcats were Chris Brown, at 125 pounds, who worked out a hard-fought 6-5 decision over Washington & amp; Jefferson's Kevin DeJulius; Jeff Linn, who pinned W & amp;J's Byron Johnson in 2:05, at 141, and Steven Dedrick, who worked out a 3-2 decision over Waynesburg's Chris Vicente at 149.
Other Tomcat winners were Jason Wilk, 157, who decisioned Waynesburg's Mike O'Neil, 7-3; Jason Miklacic, at 197, who decisioned W & amp;J's Tony Boone, 5-2, and Nick Shannon, heavyweight, who decisioned Waynesburg's Kelby Church, 9-5.
Another individual champion was W & amp;J's 184-pounder, Wesley Koteski, who decisioned Thiel's T.J. Albright, 4-1. It was Koteski's fourth consecutive PAC crown at 184. He was honored as the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament.
Other repeat winners, both from Thiel, were 133-pound champion, Chris Brown, who won the 125-pound title last year, and 141-pound champion, Jeff Linn, who won the 133-pound crown in 1999.
Bowers lauded: How does R.J. Bowers figure in the future plans of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Right now, that's hard to say, however, if past endeavors have anything to do with it, the West Middlesex native may have found a second home.
Bowers, who has already carved his niche in sports history at West Middlesex High and at Grove City College, is now working on whittling a few more in the NFL. He has already tried his hand at professional baseball, playing in the Houston Astros farm system and later signing with Madison of the Northern League.
In 1997 he joined forces the Grove City football team, where he set some mighty impressive records, including the all-time leading rusher in the NCAA.
He made his NFL debut with the Carolina Panthers, was released and signed shortly after by the Steelers. He saw limited action with the Steelers this past season but managed 67 yards rushing while breaking into the scoring column against the Cleveland Browns.
At age 28, Bowers still has a lot of football in those powerful legs and the Steelers would certainly love to have this guy under contract. He's no fluke, but a talented young man who is devoted to the game.
Ranks near top: Mercer County has had many outstanding football players in the past, a number of whom have gone on to play in the NFL, and Bowers certainly ranks right near the top.
West Middlesex, at a recent ceremony, retired Bower's No. 33 football jersey. He was also presented a framed photo of himself scoring on a 21-yard run in the regular season finale against the Browns, a picture that is hanging in the high school.
We're hoping we see a lot more pictures of Bowers crossing the goal line in the months ahead. We'll keep you posted.