If you love wrestling and have never heard of the Reynolds High School wrestling program, you’re in for a real treat. You’ve stumbled upon one of the great ones, and we’d love for you to find out more about the team and its tradition.

If you’re already a fan of the team or an alumni of the school, take a few minutes to read through the history. We’re sure it will bring back some great memories and maybe even teach you a few things about RHS wrestling you didn’t already know.

For youngsters or current members of the team, you’ll see that there are others who have gone before you who have helped pave the way for your success. They’ve established that fear in your opponent who is standing across the mat with a dry mouth and sweaty palms.

It’s not unusual for a school to excel in a given sport for a number of years. The Reynolds High School wrestling program, in that context, may be somewhat of an unexplainable phenomenon. The school has never had a losing season and has never lost more than five dual matches in any given season.

The school’s overall dual-match record is believed to be the best in the state of Pennsylvania, in terms of won-loss percentage (89%).

So sit deep and enjoy as you re-live the highlights of the last four decades.

The program begins
Dick Sherwood, Reynolds High School’s first head wrestling coach once confided, "the first wrestling match I ever saw, I was the head coach."

When the Reynolds School District was formed it encompassed the Fredonia area, as well as Delaware, Pymatuning and West Salem Townships of central Mercer County.

Nearby Greenville High School had a very successful wrestling program and several athletes who had wrestled at Greenville now found themselves wrestling for Reynolds. That greatly helped that first season, considering Sherwood’s background, as the team was able to post a 4-4 overall record.

It’s funny to think about it in the present tense, but it was Greenville, perhaps the school’s biggest rival, that had the deepest impact on Reynolds’ success, at least in the early years. Also, there were several athletes who had wrestled at Jamestown who now found themselves attending Reynolds.

John "Buckey" Moffett won the school’s first-ever Section championship, and began a list that today includes over 200 names.

1960’s – The Lineman era begins
Neal Lineman was named head coach for the 1961-62 season and would stay on for 16 seasons, taking the program from its humble beginnings to elite status.

"When I was hired as head wrestling coach at RHS in 1961 I was elated to be in this position," said Lineman. "My goal from the very beginning was to produce a winning program."

It would be safe to say that goal was accomplished.

Lineman’s overall coaching record was 201-12, including two losses by forfeit. Of his 16 seasons, nine featured undefeated teams, two teams lost just one match, and none lost more than two. His team’s also shined in the post season as 10 wrestlers advanced to the state finals, with five winning gold medals. That coming in an era when once you lost, you were eliminated from further post-season competition.

"Over the 16 years that I coached I was fortunate to work with some very fine assistant coaches, but most of all hundreds of hard working, dedicated young men that I will never forget," Lineman said. "These young men laid the foundation for today’s wrestling program."

From 1967-68 through 1974-75, Lineman’s dual meet teams lost just one match. They set a school record of 60 consecutive wins and once the string was broken, set off on another streak of 58 straight.

"Without a doubt, Neal Lineman set the standard that we try to live up to today," said current head coach Brian Hills, himself a by-product of the Lineman era. "His name is Reynolds wrestling."

"It’s always been my contention that I’m just minding the store, so to speak" Hills continued. "In my mind this is still Neal’s program. He’s the one who built the reputation."

Lineman was a graduate of Greenville High School and wrestled collegiately at Purdue. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Mercer County Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2001.

In 1967 Reynolds crowned its first state champion in senior Jim Gollner. Gollner won his state finals match by referee’s decision in overtime after finishing as the state runner-up his junior season. Gollner’s overall high school record was 56-9-3.

Wrestlers of the 1960s who collected the school’s other "firsts" included Moffett (29-2), the school’s first District 10 champion, and Bruce Unangst (73-7-2), who along with Gollner were the school’s first Northwest Regional Champions.

Other standouts from the 1960s included: John Irvine (55-13-1), Frank Lane (38-9), Lon Dawes (41-9), Bob "Bear" Loveless (47-4), Bob Shaffer (39-8), Bill Loveless (41-18-1), Dennis Loutzenhiser (34-13-3), Bill Mowery (37-10-1), Larry Unangst (27-2), Larry Shipton (45-12), Rod Chess (26-8), Dave Fisher (25-4) and John Reed (35-8).

The 1970’s – The Golden age
Maybe the golden era of Reynolds wrestling, at least in terms of dual match success, as the Raiders lost only nine dual matches the entire decade.

The Raiders won every Section 3AA title, 1971-1980 during the decade, and crowned 10 individual section champions (out of 12 weight classes) for three consecutive seasons, 1975, 1976 and 1977. The 10 section champs, remains a school record today.

There were five state champions crowned during the decade beginning with heavyweight Chuck Coryea (63-3-1) in 1972 and ending with 185-pounder Kevin Klasic (60-8) in 1979. Others to win gold medals were Dave Anthony (1974, 37-3-1), Jeff Shipton (1975, 47-8) and Matt Smargiasso (1976, 68-6).

In 1975, Reynolds put three wrestlers in the state finals, with Shipton winning the gold medal and LeRoy Sample (132, 50-8) and Hills (167, 81-9-2) finishing second. Sample lost by referee’s decision and Hills in the last second of regulation after leading most of the match. Though team scores would not count officially until the next season, Reynolds won the mythical state championship that season.

Reynolds would win its first official PIAA team title the next season - 1976 - with Smargiasso (126) winning gold, Mark Bartolo (112, 50-8-1) placing second and heavyweight Dave Kress (63-18-2) finishing third. Smargiasso, a junior, would place third the next season after losing a heartbreaker in the semifinals to an old District 10 rival - Phil Frndak of General McLane.

Other state placewinners from the 1970s, included Dan Morrison (51-10, 2^nd in 1977), Tim Morrison (50-12, 2^nd in 1978), Brian Holzshu (41-6-2, 3^rd in 1974), Bill Arbanas (54-6-1, 3^rd in 1978) and Dennis Gibb (59-13, 3^rd in 1978).

Jerry Diehl established a school record that he still shares today by winning three straight District 10 titles in 1975, 1976 and 1977. He finished with a career record of 52-12.

Here is a quick list of some of the other great wrestlers of the 1970s who were not previously mentioned: Bill McNeish (55-6-1), Bill Palm (40-10), Dennis Emph (50-7-2), Walt McClimans (29-7), Kyle Benton (29-8), Owen Lenkner (29-6), Dale Hills (30-8), John Fry (24-6-1), Doug Shaffer (42-13-1), John Urmson (46-18-1), Dave Krumpak (34-13-2), Tom Collins (44-13-2), Tom Anthony (43-14-2), Keith Dawes (43-9) and Brick Stewart (43-13).

Lineman left the wrestling program in protest following the 1976-77 season. A teachers’ strike which cost Lineman two losses via forfeit was the big reason behind the split. Lineman did remain at RHS as a physical education teacher, but never again returned to coaching.

Lineman told of some of his most memorable moments as RHS head coach.

"First, to witness five Reynolds wrestlers win a state championship - 1967, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1976," Lineman said. "Second, to be presented the first State Team Championship Award in 1976. Third, when my wife and children told me that I had done a good job after my retirement from coaching in 1977."

Mark Reichard, who had led the elementary wrestling program, took over as head coach for the 1977-78 season and stayed for three years, posting a record of 35-6-1, and helping guide Klasic to his state title.

The 1980’s – Ten more years of winning
The 1980-81 dual match team, captained by Glenn Clark and Mike Dudley, started the decade off with a bang, sporting a perfect 15-0 record which set the standard for most wins in one season. It remains the best single season dual-match record, though it is just one of 12 undefeated seasons, overall.

Coaching changes highlighted the decade with the job changing hands five times in a 10-year span.

Doug Groover, who had taken over for Reichard, guided the team to perfection, but left for a coaching and teaching job in Oil City and stayed only one season.

Ron Taylor took over head coaching duties for the 1981-82 season, but like Groover, would stay just one season before Ed McClimans settled into the position for four years. Taylor, a product of Greenville High School and Slippery Rock College, would later serve as head coach for both Sharon and Kennedy Christian high schools.

Though all coaches did a remarkable job in keeping the program up to par, none, with the exception of Groover, were able to obtain the unbeaten seasons and post season successes that Lineman had produced.

The program, with all of the changes taking place within the coaching ranks, was in dire need of some stability. In short, the program needed a shot in the arm.

It would get one.

In 1986 Brian Hills was hired to take over the position of head coach, he remains the team’s head coach today.

"I had run the elementary program and had pretty good success," Hills said. "When the position became open I was excited about the possibility of getting the head coaching job. As it turns out, it has been a very rewarding and enriching experience."

A highlight of the decade was the career of heavyweight John Tofani. In 1986, Tofani became the first Reynolds wrestler to reach the century mark in wins, boasting an overall high school record of 117-15-1. He placed third at the state tournament in 1986 and was a three-time state qualifier. He also was a three-time Junior Olympic (All-Area) state champ.

Today, Tofani is a member of the RHS coaching stafff, serving as the assistant varsity coach.

After a long drought without a PIAA state champion, Aaron Armer broke the streak in 1989 when he won a heavyweight title. Armer won the state title despite not being ranked at the time. He started a streak of seven state champions in six seasons.

Other state placewinners from the decade included Kevin Brandt (78-18, 3^rd in 1982), Chris Link (66-38-2, 4^th in 1984), Tim Hough (98-31-2, 5^th in 1985), Paul Link (80-24-1, 5^th in 1987), and Chris Fedorczyk (62-21-1, 5^th in 1987).

Other standouts from the 1980’s included Ron Beckman (66-13), Terry Pacifico (32-16-1), Rick Brickell (30-5), Martin Bright (41-19), Doug Frkonja (35-15-2), Jeff Groover (36-17-1), Bryan Rhodes (68-27-1), Greg Zohorancky (42-23), Pat Fordyce (77-20), Troy Frampton (74-28-2), Brad Boyd (40-18), Brian Brest (61-35-2), Scott Slater (55-21), Mike Hough (77-35) and Brad Morris (69-44-1).

1990’s – Second to none
With coach Hills in charge, Reynolds wrestling steadily worked its way back to the top and appears ready, willing and able to stay there.

"I could not have asked for a better individual to be the head wrestling coach at RHS," Lineman said. "Brian came up through the ranks at Reynolds and is a very knowledgeable wrestling coach. He has kept the winning tradition alive and well. His accomplishments may never be equaled."

The team won a PIAA team title in 1993, placing three wrestlers in the state finals and taking home a trio of gold medals. What often gets lost is the fact that a fourth Reynolds wrestler – Kevin Drew – was injured in an automobile accident that year and may well have been a fourth PIAA champ for the Raiders. Drew (89-21-3) had finished as a state runner-up the season before. Also, Mark Russell (77-27) finished third at the state tournament that season.

Reynolds repeated the magic in 1998, winning another team title with five placewinners headed by PIAA champion Justin Nestor, the first RHS freshman to win a state title. Other wrestlers to place that season included Dan Svirbly, Jason Nestor, Steve Popovitch and Bob Tumpak.

Other team honors included PIAA second place finishes in 1992 and 1994 and a third-place showing in 1999.

"I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the past decade or so," Hills said. "I’ve been fortunate to have some outstanding wrestlers come up through the program. I think they’ve been dedicated and have worked very hard to get the program to the level that it is today."

Three-time state champion Casey Taylor (123-10-2) led a host of individuals who excelled during the decade. Jonathan Hazi (130-13) was a two-time state champion at 103 pounds and Mark Bodo (189, 137-21) and heavyweight Matt Gentile (99-24-1) also won state titles.

Jason Walter was another standout of the decade with a 137 career wins while becoming the first four-time PIAA qualifier at RHS.

Other PIAA placewinners included Mike Gentile (92-44-1, 3^rd in 1990), Jason Nestor (137-17, 2^nd in 1999, 4^th in 1998), Dan Svirbly (51-22, 4^th in 1998), Steve Popovitch (133-21, 3^rd in 1999, 5th in 1998), Bob Tumpak (122-29, 6^th in 1998), Jerry Kendall (5^th in 1999), and Doug Woods (8^th in 1999).

Lineman said of today’s era of Reynolds wrestler: "They are, in my opinion, highly skilled with good technique. Also, they have good work ethics. The only problem I can see is that we need more individuals in the program."

Some of the other top wrestlers from the 90’s included Brian Morris (41-19-2), Jeff Giardina (55-27-1), Christian Lowry (37-16-1), Brad Rowe (84-35), Barry Morris (97-39-3), Blair Bateman (34-18), Joel Hughes (46-22), Rich Ignat (40-23), A.J. Walton (74-37), Reuben Clark (79-36), Chad Holzshu (73-43), John Jordan (66-43) and Chris Reynolds (45-14).

The Year 2000 and Beyond
Reynolds wrestling entered the 21st Century riding a huge wave of success.

Justin Nestor (153-11), who became the first RHS freshman to win a state title in 1998, added two more state titles as he won gold during his junior (1999-00) and senior campaigns (2000-01). He set school records for most wins, most team points and best one-season record along the way. He became the Raiders' first four-time PIAA placewinner as he finished fourth as a sophomore.

Jerry Kendall become one of the stars of the new millenium as he capped off a brillant career with a state championship in 2000-01. Despite starting only three seasons, Kendall (115-17) still managed to chalk up more than 100 career wins. He placed fifth, third and first in the state during his three seasons as a starter.

Justin Hollobaugh (135-31), a 2002 graduate, established a school record for the most career matches wrestled (166). He was a two-time state place-winner, finishing fourth as a junior and fifth as a senior.

John Svirbly, who once proudly pointed out that he had the worst won-loss record at the 2002 PIAA Championships, showed his true grit by wrestling his way to a fifth place showing in to become more than just a footnote in Raider history. His career mark was 48-35.

Freshman Matt Dunn exploded onto the scene in 2002-03 by going 40-1 and rolling all the way to a state championship at 103 pounds. As a sophomore at 112 pounds, he was upset in the PIAA quarterfinal round but rebounded for a third place finish. His record after two varsity seasons stood at 83-5.

Dunn was one of six Raiders to place at the state tournament in 2003 - a school record - as he was joined by Owen Brickell (third), Travis Battles (sixth), Dan Burns (sixth), Nick Sommerfeld (seventh) and Mike Hills (seventh). As a team, the Raiders finished second in the race for team points.

Brickell's loss in the semifinal round at states was especailly painful as it came on a controversial slam call. He finished his career at 98-19 and set a school record with an incredible 211 takedowns as a senior.

Battles (133-29), a three-time state placwinner, and Sommerfeld (117-35), a two-timer, both wrestled the final matches of their RHS careers in the 2003-04 state finals. Reynolds finished third as a team that season, just 1-1/2 points out of first as freshman
Lawrence Beckman (sixth) and sophomore Dunn (third) also placed.

Other top individual records from the first half of the decade belong to Jake Habel (105-32), Rocky Habel (90-28), Josh Cilas (59-24), Hills (77-46) and Joel Davis (69-38).

The Raiders also found success as a team during the early stages of the new millenium, finishing the regular season undefeated in 2001-02 and 2003-04 and 2004-05.

The District 10 Dual Match Championships, which began in 1999, has been another friend of the Raiders as they have won the title four times (2000 - 01, 2001 - 02, 2002 - 03 and 2004-05).

Coach Hills, already known for testing his team with a challenging schedule, upped the ante when he entered his team in the nationally acclaimed Ironman Tournmant at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in 2003-04.

The test turned up positive results as the team almost immediately began appearing regularly among the Top 40 teams in the country. They were ranked as high as No. 16 during the 2004-05 season.

"We look forward to keeping the Reynolds Wrestling Tradition going strong for years to come," Hills said. "That truly is the challenge before myself and the rest of the program’s coaches."

Through the 2004-05 season, Coach Hills boasted a career coaching mark of 236-31-1, while the school's all-time mark stood at 566-70-2. The team's winning percentage of .891 is the best among Pennsylvania high school's with at least 500 wins.