jtuscano@observer-reporter.com
Albert Miles doesn't have to arrive early to get a good seat at this summer's Fourth of July Parade in Canonsburg.
He'll be in one of the cars participating in the event, an honored guest.
Miles, a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, earned the invite after he won the 174-pound title in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, over the weekend.
The redshirt senior at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown decisioned Ross Taplin of Nebraska-Omaha, 5-2, in the finals.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet," said Miles. "I was just interviewed by the television station in Johnstown so I'm just starting to realize what I've done."
Miles became the ninth champion in UPJ history, all coming under the tenure of head coach Pat Pecora. Included in the group are Carlton Haselrig (1987-89), who won six titles before going on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Jody (1998) and John Strittmatter (1999); Thad Benton (2005, '06) and Shad Benton (2002); Brandon Newell (2002); and Troy Barbush (1999).
"He wrestled great in the tournaments," said Pecora, who has coached 33 of the program's 34 years of existence. "He was totally flawless."
Miles was so dominant in the regional and national tournaments that he did not allow an offensive point. The only time a wrestler scored on him was when he allowed them up for an escape.
But heading into the NCAA tournament, Miles was anything but perfect. He lost his last two regular-season bouts and was slipping into a funk.
"I knew they weren't better wrestlers than me," said Miles, who placed fifth in the PIAA tournament as a junior and did not qualify as a senior at Canon-McMillan. "It was all in my head. It was my attitude. I was about to completely lose it."
So Miles and Pecora had a heart-to-heart about his wrestling and that seemed to help.
"When things go bad for Albert, he used to get mad and quit (trying)," said Pecora. "After we talked, he told me he knew it was his attitude and you could see the light come on."
The other key for Miles was failing to qualify for the national event as junior after taking fifth at 165 pounds as a sophomore.
"It was the best thing that could happen to me," Miles said. "I worked harder. Not making it really motivated me."
Miles reached the finals after a 6-2 decision over Kamarudeen Usman of Nebraska-Kearney. Miles also defeated Jesse Feinsod of New Mexico Highlands, 3-1, and Mankato State's Tim Matheson, 3-2.
Against Taplin, Miles broke a 2-2 tie after two periods by shutting him out 3-0. The win ended Miles' season at 38-7.
"That was the fourth time I wrestled Taplin," Miles said. "He beat me two times and I beat him once before the finals. I had a good attitude. I wasn't nervous. I worked 18 years for this, 18 years for seven minutes of wrestling."
It produced a gold medal and, so far, a spot in Canonsburg's parade.