CLARION — Former Clearfield Area High School wrestlers Brad Pataky and Capt. Matt Kyler were inducted in to the District 9 Wrestling Hall of Fame on Saturday night at the Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium on the Clarion University campus just prior to the Parade of Champions at the 2015 District 9 Wrestling Championships.
Pataky, now a coach at the United States Military Academy (West Point), graduated from Clearfield in 2005 with a career record of 125-5. A three-time PIAA state finalist, Pataky won gold for the Bisons at 112 pounds in 2004. Pataky was a four-time District 9 and Northwest Region champion. Pataky continued his wrestling career at Penn State, where he sported an 85-30 career record, which included three NCAA appearances – including being a member of the 2011 National Championship team. Pataky is also an accomplished free-style wrestler, winning several national age-group titles, the 2008 University Championship, and was a 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier.
Kyler, now a Captain in the US Army stationed in Fort Benning, GA, graduated from Clearfield in 2006 as the all-time win leader with a career record of 136-16. Kyler won PIAA gold in 2005 at 103 pounds, and sandwiched that with two third place finishes in 2004 and 2006. Kyler continued his wrestling career at West Point, where he finished there as the all-time win leader as well with a career record of 146-31. Kyler claimed two Eastern Inter-Collegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) championships and was a four-time NCAA national qualifier, earning All-American status in 2008 with his sixth place finish at 141 pounds.
