The brotherhood of wrestling
There’s nothing like wrestling to keep a family tradition alive.
Have you ever wondered how many combinations of brothers wrestled in high school in Washington and Greene counties? There are more than anybody can remember, but here is a quick sampler of some of the most successful brother acts from a few area schools:
Let’s start with Rob and Rick Bogo. Rob won a state title in 1975 as a sophomore at 119 pounds. Packy and Butch Lowe provided the Eagles with a solid one-two punch in the lower weights.
Bob and Ralph Cindrich were very successful. In 1961, at 165 pounds, Bob won a WPIAL championship. Ralph was a two-time WPIAL champion at heavyweight in 1966 and 1967. During the 1966-67 season, Ralph Cindrich lost to Dave Joyner – who is Penn State’s athletic director – in the finals at State College by a point. Ralph became a star performer for the Pitt football team and went on to play in the NFL with the New England Patriots and the Houston Oilers. Following his football career, he became a successful sport agent. Older brother Bob became a well-known judge.
Another brother combination at Avella was Frank and Angelo Ferrari. Frank, in 1960, won the WPIAL title at 145. Others include Rich and Mark Spence, Jim and Jeff Gordon, Dan and Ed Bredniak and Don and Abby Rush. In 1974, Abby Rush won a WPIAL Class AA title at 138.
The Blue Devils were well-represented by Geno and Dean Zuccaro and Bob and Floyd Marshall. As a junior in 1957, Bob Marshall won a state title at 145. Floyd Marshall won the 145-pound WPIAL title in 1958, followed by Bob Marshall at 154. Both Marshalls were inducted in the Washington-Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Among the brother combinations were Terry and Wayne Zaccarino, the WPIAL champion for the Big Macs in 1965 at 138.
There also was Frank and George O’Korn. In 1961, Frank O’Korn was the lone C-M wrestler to win a WPIAL title. He was champion at 138. Younger brother George won state titles in 1972 and 1973.
In 1965 and ’66, Rich and Greg Trunzo were successful lightweights, with Rich winning a WPIAL title in 1966 at 112.
We can’t forget Mike and Angelo Marino. Mike won a WPIAL title at 103 in 1971. Angelo won WPIAL titles three years in a row (1973, ’74 and ’75) and two state titles. Mike later found success as a teacher and coach at Trinity.
If you want three brothers, the Bucs had Jeff, Hugh and Pat Paxton. In 1964 and ’65, Jeff won WPIAL titles at 127 and 133.
There also were the three Vulcano brothers, Jim, Frank and Patsy, the latter a state champion. Frank is currently the athletic director at Canon-McMillan. Their father, Frank Sr., was a successful wrestling coach at Chartiers-Houston and California State College.
A dynamic lightweight duo for the Bucs was Chris and Phil Mary. Phil won two WPIAL titles and two state championships. In 1982, Phil played a key role in the Bucs winning the PIAA team title. Chris was a three-time WPIAL champion. A rarity took place in 1983 as Chris and Phil each won WPIAL titles, Phil at 112 and Chris at 119.
Look for more memorable brother acts in a future column.
Bill DiFabio writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter. He has a website, www.billdifabio.com.