7/19/2007

Ron Garrison dies

One of the great supporters of scholastic wrestling in this area has died. Ron Garrison, who established the Brotherhood of Wrestling and was a member of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic committee, died July 9 at age 59. Ron also was a committee member of the Southwestern Pa. Wrestling Hall of Fame and helped in gathering statistical information in the sport.

Before his health problems, Ron was a constant figure at the postseason tournaments and came to know many of the wrestlers. He would present the Brotherhood of Wrestling certificates to those who showed not only great talent on the mat but also ability in the classroom.

He will be missed.

A good hire

Jeff Breese Sr. was hired as varsity wrestling coach at McGuffey High School recently. The school finally got it right, hiring the man who was a major cog in the Highlanders' teams of the 1990s that made it to the semifinals of the WPIAL Team Tournament in each of the 10 years. Breese was the junior high head coach at the time and a lot of talent came through the system. He's well-known in the community and is perfect to put some spark back into the program.