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Tradition of wrestling brothers runs deep at Trinity

4 min read

“Loyalty, Attitude and Guts” is written on a sign that can be found in the Trinity High School wrestling room. All three words can describe the Hillers’ brotherhood of wrestling. Two weeks ago, I mentioned several brother combinations who wrestled for Trinity. It’s time to complete the list.

The Brothers Four – Kenny, Ricky, Dave and Randy Blackhurst – competed over two decades.

There also were the Hilks, Brian and Drew. In addition to being a standout wrestler, Brian also was a good football player who played his college ball at Akron and professionally in the Canadian Football League.

There were the Brownlee brothers, Tom and Dan. And let’s not forget Mike and Scott Bunner. Scott transferred to Wash High for his senior year.

John Abajace was a two-time WPIAL champion who won at states his sophomore year. At Michigan State, he never lost a home match. In 1969, Abajace was the top-ranked 152-pound college sophomore in the nation.

Abajace began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. After a short stint at Pitt, Abajace became an assistant coach at Trinity under Joe Shook. In 1978, he accepted his first head coaching job, at Chartiers Valley. A year later, Abajace became the head coach at Trinty. His Hillers qualified for the WPIAL team tournament 19 times in 20 years.

John’s brother, Mickey, also was a solid wrestler for the Hillers.

John and Veryl Long were two highly successful Hillers. John, known as “Champ,” won a WPIAL title in 1966. Veryl captured a state title in 1956. During his college career at Iowa State, Veryl Long had a 95-4 record. He finished 3rd at the NCAA Championships in 1963 and ’64, then won a national championship in 1965. He was the head coach at Duquesne and then at Carrick, where he coached 46 City League champions. After his coaching career, Veryl Long became a PIAA wrestling official.

The Haughts included Randy and Tom Haught and their cousins Dave and Chuck Haught. Randy won a section title in 1969 and was a WPIAL runner-up. He wrestled at California State College under coach Frank Vulcano Sr. In Burlington, Ala., Randy Haught was a successful high school coach and currently is a referee.

Stanley Romano won a section title for the Hillers in 1979. His brother, Sam, wrestled at Michigan State, where he majored in law enforcement. It paid off because Sam Romano is currently sheriff of Washington County.

Bob and Jon Truby transferred to Trinity from Maryland and made a huge impact for the Hillers. Bob Truby won PIAA titles in 1986 and ’87 and had an 80-0 record with the Hillers. He was a four-time state champion, winning two in Maryland. Jon Truby was a WPIAL champion in 1991.

Bill Larkin won the Western Conference title in 1970 and his brother, Mike, is currently a wrestling official.

Another brother combination was Jim and Rick Barr. In 1968, Jim Barr won a Section title at 127 pounds. His son, Jason, was a successful wrestler at McGuffey.

Ray and Don Dallatore won many matches for the Hillers. Don Dallatore won a WPIAL title in 1971, before Ray won WPIAL and PIAA titles in 1972. Ray was a four-year starter at Pitt.

Dan Barnickel, whose brother Tim also was a talented Trinity wrestler, won a section title at 112 pounds in 1969 and again at 127 in 1970.

Duane Day, as a wrestler, won a section title in 1970. At West Liberty State, he was 86-15 and was a four-time West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion. As head coach at Fort Cherry, Day guided the Rangers to a 45-17 record and was named the WPIAL Class AA Coach fo the Year in 1985. Day’s brother, Dave, also added to the tradition of wrestling brothers at Trinity.

There was Sam and Rick Morgan. Rick won a section title in 1978 and was a state qualifier in 1977.

And do you remember Dave and Dan Frazier? Dan Frazier won a section title in 1970 and captured three Western Conference titles. In the WPIAL finals in 1970, he suffered a dislocated rib. His opponent, Jim Vockel from Mt. Lebanon, who Frazier defeated earlier in the year 4 -0, was declared the winner and went on to win a state title.

Do I forget any brother combinations?

Bill DiFabio writes a bi-weekly Sunday column on local sports history for the Observer-Reporter.

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