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Coach Pat Pecora Inducted into NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame

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Coach Pat Pecora Inducted into NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame

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On March 13, 2003, Mountain Cat wrestling coach Pat Pecora was inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame at a banquet in Wheeling, WV prior to the 2003 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. For coach Pecora, the Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame marked the fifth Hall of Fame he has been inducted into in his 27-year career at Pitt Johnstown.

Along with this year’s induction into the Division II Hall of Fame, Coach Pecora was previously inducted into the Cambria County Hall of Fame (1998), West Liberty State College Athletic Hall of Fame (1998), Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame-East Boro Chapter (1999) and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2001).

After graduating from West Liberty State (WV) College in 1975, Coach Pecora spent one season as the wrestling coach at East Allegheny High School in North Versailles, Pa. In the fall of 1976, Pecora took over as Pitt Johnstown’s wrestling coach. In the 27 years that have followed, Coach Pecora has led the Mountain Cats to NCAA Division II National Championships in 1996 and 1999. His teams have won 16 Regional titles and have finished in the nation’s top-20 on 20 occasions. This year’s team won the East Regional championship and placed 11th in the country with five All-Americans. In addition, Pecora has coached 95 All-Americans and seven wrestlers who combined to win 13 individual national championships.

In his career at Pitt Johnstown, Coach Pecora has recorded a 348-99-3 (.773) dual meet record. In 1995 and 1999, Pecora was named the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Coach of the Year. Then, following 1999’s national championship, Coach Pecora earned the National Wrestling Coaches Association Coaching Excellence Award, presented to the best coach in all divisions. He has also been named the Regional Coach of the Year 10 times.

Not only do the Mountain Cat wrestlers excel on the mat, but they also excel in the classroom. Nearly 60 of Coach Pecora’s wrestlers have been named National Wrestling Coach’s Association Academic Team (NWCA) members. Pitt Johnstown led the nation in NWCA All-Academic Team selections from 1997 through 2001, totaling 32 in that five-year span.

Coach Pecora, a graduate of Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, Pa., and his wife Tracy reside in Johnstown, Pa. They have four children, Christina, Marco, Marina and Nico.
Posted by [Deleted User] on 3/29/2003 8:55:00 AM


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