Kolat, Ace in hall
Former Jefferson-Morgan High School wrestling standout Cary Kolat and Charles “Ace” Heberling, a Washington & Jefferson College graduate and former teacher and coach at East Washington High School, will be among those honored in a June 22 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Moon Township.
“This will be a great way to conclude our 100th anniversary year,” WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley said. “We started this celebration back in August, now we will conclude it with the inaugural class in the new WPIAL Hall of Fame.”
Kolat, a 1992 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan, is considered by many to be the greatest high school wrestler in WPIAL history. Kolat compiled a 137-0 record in four seasons with the Rockets, winning four PIAA Class AA championships and being voted the tournament’s outstanding wrestler each year.
Kolat wrestled collegiately at Penn State and Lock Haven universities, winning a pair of NCAA championships en route to a 111-7 career record. Kolat went on to a fine international career, where he was a three-time medalist at the World Championships. He also competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Heberling, who was also a long-time NFL official, is being inducted as a contributor.
After serving as the officials’ representative on the WPIAL Board of Control, in 1976, Heberling became the WPIAL’s first full-time executive director.
Heberling, who retired as WPIAL executive director in 1997, also officiated three Super Bowls.
“This will be a great way to conclude our 100th anniversary year,” WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley said. “We started this celebration back in August, now we will conclude it with the inaugural class in the new WPIAL Hall of Fame.”
Kolat, a 1992 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan, is considered by many to be the greatest high school wrestler in WPIAL history. Kolat compiled a 137-0 record in four seasons with the Rockets, winning four PIAA Class AA championships and being voted the tournament’s outstanding wrestler each year.
Kolat wrestled collegiately at Penn State and Lock Haven universities, winning a pair of NCAA championships en route to a 111-7 career record. Kolat went on to a fine international career, where he was a three-time medalist at the World Championships. He also competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Heberling, who was also a long-time NFL official, is being inducted as a contributor.
After serving as the officials’ representative on the WPIAL Board of Control, in 1976, Heberling became the WPIAL’s first full-time executive director.
Heberling, who retired as WPIAL executive director in 1997, also officiated three Super Bowls.
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