CLARION – Former Curwensville Area High School standout Nate Sipes was one of eight individuals inducted into the District 9 Wrestling Hall of Fame prior to the finals of the 2012 Class AAA and Class AA tournaments in Clarion University’s Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium Saturday evening.
A 2005 CAHS graduate, Sipes was a three-time District 9 Class AA champion, two-time Northwest Region titlist and a two-time PIAA gold medalist, reigning at 189 pounds in 2004 and 215 as a senior.
He ended his scholastic career with a 110-18 record and is tied for third on the Golden Tide’s all-time win list.
Sipes also starred at a running back and linebacker in football at Curwensville, playing at Slippery Rock University in 2007 and 2008 after overcoming a knee injury and returning to the gridiron for Clarion University at linebacker last fall, leading the Golden Eagles in tackles.
He is the fifth CAHS grad among the 86 inductees who have been selected by the District 9 Chapter of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association since 1999.
The others are Randy Cathcart, wrestler and coach; Terry Hoover, wrestler, coach and referee; Dave Irwin, wrestler, and Fred Kavelak, contributor.
Former Golden Tide coaches Ron Smith and Frank Eisenhower also have been inducted.
The other 2012 inductees:
Terry Dietrick (posthumously), contributor, Ridgway Area High School (1972). Longtime broadcaster of dual meets involving Elk County teams as well as district, region and state tournaments.
Curt Olson, wrestler/contributor, Ridgway Area High School (1979). A three-time district champion, two-time region champion and two-time PIAA Class AA runner-up with overall record of 90-21 with 71 falls. Played football as well as wrestling for Clarion, where he was a three-time NCAA Division I qualifier with a 77-20 record at heavyweight. Has dedicated more than two decades as an assistant coach to the youth in Ridgway area.
Bruce Morgan, wrestler, Cameron County Area High School (1980). Was district, region and state champion at 189 in 1990 after placing sixth in state as a junior. Wrestled heavyweight all four years at Cornell University with a 93-37-1 record. Two-time All-Ivy League first teamer and a 1993 NCAA Division I qualifier.
Ben Keebler, wrestler, St. Marys Area High School (1992). Two-time district champ, region champ, Class AAA state champion at 145 in 1991 and fifth placer in 1992 with career record of 101-20. Had 30-18 record at Lock Haven University.
Jeremy Reitz, wrestler, Brookville Area High School (1999). Three-time district champ, region champ and Class AA state champion at 152 as senior after losing in finals previous year, posting 114-19 record. Wrestled at Penn State University in 2000-2001 with 21-7 record and transferred to Clarion, where he was 90-57 and qualified for nationals two times.
Francis Iorfido, wrestler, Johnsonburg Area High School (2002). Three-time district champ and OW in 2001, three-time region champ, and three-time placewinner at states, including winning Class AA gold medal at 145 in 2001, with overall record of 131-15. Wrestled at University of Pittsburgh with 49-23 record. Named to Eastern Wrestling League All-Academic Team three times and was on 2004 NCAA Academic All-American Team.
Scott Rendos, wrestler, Brockway Area High School (2004). Three time district champ, three-time region champ and three-time PIAA Class AA finalist, winning state titles in 2003 and 2004. Amassed record of 140-9. Wrestled at the University of Buffalo for four years.
