Bio

1972-73 Wrestling Team

The 1972-73 men’s wrestling team claimed the Penn State Commonwealth Championship in only its second year as a varsity sport at Ivyside. The Altoona Campus matmen, coached by Dennis Lott, scored 95 points in the 12-team event, outpacing second place by nine-and-a-half points. Three wrestlers claimed first place in the Commonwealth Championship: John Stanczyk (126), Ron Hillegass (190), and Lew DeAngelis (Hwt.). Four others claimed second place: Jim Clark (142), Bruce Kinsey (158), Ken Snyder (167), and Henry Klinar (177).

Coach Lott was quoted in the Altoona Mirror as saying: “Everyone was a bit amazed by Altoona. Our guys were loose the whole time. They were relaxed and really prepared mentally for the tourney. Everyone wrestled well. It was just a super team effort.”

Sporting an 8-1 dual meet record, the Cougars outscored their opponents 321-102 during the regular season, including a 55-0 shutout of Scranton. Nine wrestlers had less than three losses going into the Commonwealth Championship, with four wrestlers having only one loss.

Many of the 1972-1973 wrestlers returned in 1973-1974 to defend their Commonwealth Campus Team Championship.