1977 Northern Bedford Wrestling Team
Class of 2013
1977 Northern Bedford Wrestling Team
The 1977 Northern Bedford wrestling team, which finished the season with a 12-1 record, included seven individual District 5 champions who were part of a program that captured three consecutive District 5 team titles from 1975-77.
“This group of athletes was exceptional in so many ways,” offered their long-time coach Rod Hoover. “Their work ethic and competitiveness was outstanding, making them a pleasure to coach. The will to excel in the wrestling room against each other elevated the entire team to another level.”
Led by team captain and three-time state champion Jan Clark, the Panthers highlighted the season with a 29-28 victory over Bedford, the first time an NBC wrestling team had ever defeated the Bedford varsity.
Left to Right: First Row - Steve Ritchey, Brian Detwiler, Jody Imler, Victor Hart, and Mark Sollenberger. Second Row - John Clark, Jan Clark, Jay Clark, and Tim Gochnour. Third Row - Coach Rod Hoover, Paul Furry, John Beach, Bob Guyer, Brent Bowser, Dale Crawford, Coach Harry Guyer, and David Pittman. Absent was Steve Dodson.
In addition to the District 5 title, the Panther team accomplished the following: first place at the Tri-County Christmas Tournament; third at the Bald Eagle Nittany Christmas Tournament; second at the Bedford Invitational, and tied for second at the Northern Bedford Invitational, which featured powerhouses Altoona, Erie McDowell, and Punxsutawney.
“This team was the heart of our athletic programs,” Hoover continued. “Wrestling is the reason they are being honored, but their contributions to football, baseball, and track were noteworthy.”
“They gave many memories to those who follow all the Northern Bedford athletic programs, especially the wrestling community.”
Individually, the District 5 champions on that squad were: Jan Clark (105 pounds); Brent Bowser (132); Mark Sollenberger (145); Brian Detwiler (155); and Victor Hart (185).
Match Results
W Everett 32-24
W Hyndman 53-6
W Central 45-9
W Penn Cambria 42-15
W Claysburg 50-18
W North Star 45-14
W Tussey Mountain 51-18
W Bellwood 34-23
W Bedford 29-28
W Chestnut Ridge 61-0
L Huntingdon 27-29
W Conemaugh Township 43-12
W Westmont 28-25
1977 Northern Bedford Wrestling Team Highlights
* 12-1 Dual Meet Record
* First dual meet win over Bedford 29-28
* District 5 Tournament Champions
* Tri-County Tournament Champions
* Five Individual District 5 Champions
* Two State Qualifiers - Jan Clark & Victor Hart
* State Champ - Jan Clark, 3rd state title
Northern Bedford 29 Bedford 28
(Northern Bedford’s first win over Bedford)
98 Don Duffy (B) dec. John Clark 11-4
105 Dan Clark (B) pinned Tim Gochnour 2:59
112 Jan Clark (NB) pinned Vaughn Myers 3:56
119 Jay Clark (NB) dec. Jeff Sciranko 8-5
126 Dale Crawford (NB) pinned Doug Evans 5:32
132 Charles Dively (B) S dec. Bob Guyer 18-3
138 Brent Bowser (NB) dec. Scott Hocker 3-0
145 Steve Ritchey (NB) dec. Steve Feaster 6-4
155 Duke Ash (B) tied Mark Sollenberger 4-4
167 Craig Diehl (B) won by injury default Brian Detwiler 1:37
185 Victor Hart (NB) pinned Darryl Schrift 2:45
Hwt Todd Ray (B) pinned Jody Imler 3:13
The 1977 Northern Bedford wrestling team, which finished the season with a 12-1 record, included seven individual District 5 champions who were part of a program that captured three consecutive District 5 team titles from 1975-77.
“This group of athletes was exceptional in so many ways,” offered their long-time coach Rod Hoover. “Their work ethic and competitiveness was outstanding, making them a pleasure to coach. The will to excel in the wrestling room against each other elevated the entire team to another level.”
Led by team captain and three-time state champion Jan Clark, the Panthers highlighted the season with a 29-28 victory over Bedford, the first time an NBC wrestling team had ever defeated the Bedford varsity.
Left to Right: First Row - Steve Ritchey, Brian Detwiler, Jody Imler, Victor Hart, and Mark Sollenberger. Second Row - John Clark, Jan Clark, Jay Clark, and Tim Gochnour. Third Row - Coach Rod Hoover, Paul Furry, John Beach, Bob Guyer, Brent Bowser, Dale Crawford, Coach Harry Guyer, and David Pittman. Absent was Steve Dodson.
In addition to the District 5 title, the Panther team accomplished the following: first place at the Tri-County Christmas Tournament; third at the Bald Eagle Nittany Christmas Tournament; second at the Bedford Invitational, and tied for second at the Northern Bedford Invitational, which featured powerhouses Altoona, Erie McDowell, and Punxsutawney.
“This team was the heart of our athletic programs,” Hoover continued. “Wrestling is the reason they are being honored, but their contributions to football, baseball, and track were noteworthy.”
“They gave many memories to those who follow all the Northern Bedford athletic programs, especially the wrestling community.”
Individually, the District 5 champions on that squad were: Jan Clark (105 pounds); Brent Bowser (132); Mark Sollenberger (145); Brian Detwiler (155); and Victor Hart (185).
Match Results
W Everett 32-24
W Hyndman 53-6
W Central 45-9
W Penn Cambria 42-15
W Claysburg 50-18
W North Star 45-14
W Tussey Mountain 51-18
W Bellwood 34-23
W Bedford 29-28
W Chestnut Ridge 61-0
L Huntingdon 27-29
W Conemaugh Township 43-12
W Westmont 28-25
1977 Northern Bedford Wrestling Team Highlights
* 12-1 Dual Meet Record
* First dual meet win over Bedford 29-28
* District 5 Tournament Champions
* Tri-County Tournament Champions
* Five Individual District 5 Champions
* Two State Qualifiers - Jan Clark & Victor Hart
* State Champ - Jan Clark, 3rd state title
Northern Bedford 29 Bedford 28
(Northern Bedford’s first win over Bedford)
98 Don Duffy (B) dec. John Clark 11-4
105 Dan Clark (B) pinned Tim Gochnour 2:59
112 Jan Clark (NB) pinned Vaughn Myers 3:56
119 Jay Clark (NB) dec. Jeff Sciranko 8-5
126 Dale Crawford (NB) pinned Doug Evans 5:32
132 Charles Dively (B) S dec. Bob Guyer 18-3
138 Brent Bowser (NB) dec. Scott Hocker 3-0
145 Steve Ritchey (NB) dec. Steve Feaster 6-4
155 Duke Ash (B) tied Mark Sollenberger 4-4
167 Craig Diehl (B) won by injury default Brian Detwiler 1:37
185 Victor Hart (NB) pinned Darryl Schrift 2:45
Hwt Todd Ray (B) pinned Jody Imler 3:13
1977 Northern Bedford JV Wrestling Team
Front Row - Dave McIntyre, Steve Dodson, Joel Amick, Wade Crawford, Rudy Clapper, and Rod Grimes. Back Row - Barry Walter, Marty Diehl, Joel Beach, Bill Reighard, and John Crawford.
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Front Row - Dave McIntyre, Steve Dodson, Joel Amick, Wade Crawford, Rudy Clapper, and Rod Grimes. Back Row - Barry Walter, Marty Diehl, Joel Beach, Bill Reighard, and John Crawford.
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Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania