The Boiling Springs wrestling program boasts a rich and impressive history, marked by individual achievements and team success. From early champions to modern milestones, the program has consistently produced talented wrestlers and dedicated coaches.
Early Champions and Milestones
In 1962, Joe Eremus and Larry Karper secured back-to-back wins at 145 and 154, marking a significant milestone for Boiling Springs wrestling.
Some of the notable wrestlers and their achievements include:
- Joe Eremus (Boiling Springs) dec. Adam Waltz (Bald Eagle Nittany) dec.
- Larry Karper (Boiling Springs) dec. Franklin (Buddy) Hepfer (Curwensville) dec.
Joe Spisak's Triumph: A Title 48 Years in the Making
Joe Spisak's victory at the PIAA Class AA 130-pound championship marked a pivotal moment for Boiling Springs. Not one to forego a little drama, Spisak, the senior from Boiling Springs, took his leap into history by escaping former PIAA champion Frank Martellotti of Shady Side Academy with 5 seconds left for a 4-3 win. That came with quite the prize: the PIAA Class AA 130-pound championship Saturday at Giant Center.
Spisak's title, the first at Boiling Springs since Joe Eremus and Larry Karper had their famous back-to-back wins at 145 and 154 in 1962, was hardly preordained. He had to battle through a grueling semifinal with Tyrone's Ronnie Garbinsky on Friday, then an even more grueling match Saturday. After a scoreless first period, Martellotti escaped early but Spisak went to work late in the second period on a low shot. With Martellotti perched on an ankle, Spisak kept grinding until he rolled up Martellotti and put him on his back at the buzzer.
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A lot of frustration evaporated the moment that Spisak (47-1, 164-15 career) broke free from Martellotti. The victory not only affirmed all of Spisak's hard work, it was a do-over for his last-second, 9-7 loss two years ago to Keystone Oaks' Anthony Zanetta in the state finals at 112. "Of course that was motivating," said Spisak, Boiling Springs' first PIAA wrestling champion in 48 years. "But that match helped me much more than anyone realized."
For two years, the loss burned in Spisak's gut, especially after Zanetta beat him in last year's quarterfinals and sent Spisak tumbling to a seventh-place finish. That ignited an endless stream of work, work and more work, all for that moment he and his support system will never forget. "I've been so blessed," Spisak said. "I have a great family, a great community, great teammates. Being able to share this with them means everything to me."
After Martellotti (48-3, 168-21 career) took a brief injury timeout with 1:13 to wrestle, Spisak burned some time before the Shady Side wrestler caught him, lifted and got the takedown with 24 seconds left. On a restart with 20 seconds left, Spisak nearly sprang free but Martellotti dropped on the ankle. That was good for Spisak; Martellotti was warned for stalling with 9 seconds left. That forced another restart, and Spisak took advantage, leaping away from Martellotti at the whistle, and broke free with 5 seconds left.
"I knew he was going to get out," Boiling Springs head coach Rod Wright said. "I can't tell you how I knew it, but I knew it." "It was kind of a fairy tale ending, wasn't it?" Spisak said.
Spisak had beaten state champions. He had lost to state champions. He is now.A gold medal was on its way to the Yellow Breeches.
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Recent Achievements
This past Friday and Saturday at the Coal Cracker Wrestling Invitational, two athletes from the Boiling Springs wrestling team, Junior Drew Scherer and Junior Ian Longenberger, hit a major milestone in their careers-each notching their 100th career win. Drew, wrestling at 133 pounds, capped off his performance with a strong 4th-place finish. He was joined by Luke Magnani (127), who earned 6th place, and Alex Menetzer (114), who took 7th. Drew and Ian now join an elite group as the 33rd and 34th wrestlers in Boiling Springs history to achieve this remarkable feat.
With three current wrestlers now part of this prestigious club, including senior Luke Magnani, who reached his 100th win earlier this season at the Spring Grove Duals, the Bubblers are making history. The team is also having a phenomenal season, currently sitting at an impressive 15-2 record and earning the fifth seed for the upcoming PIAA District III Championship. Tomorrow, they’ll face Cedar Cliff, the 12th seed, at Hershey High School in what promises to be an exciting match.
Richard "Dick" Wince: A Coaching Legacy
Richard "Dick" Wince is a native of Canton, Ohio, where he was a standout in wrestling and football at Massillon Perry High School. He then attended Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where he excelled as a wrestler and was a two-time national qualifier, four-time team captain, and three-time team Most Valuable Wrestler. In 1970, Wince graduated from Mount Union with a degree in English.
Remaining in Ohio, Wince started his career as the first wrestling coach at Edison Middle School in Massillon. He also coached wrestling at Glenwood, Hubbard, and GlenOak High Schools, enjoying success with both teams and individual wrestlers. Wince was twice named Northeast Ohio Coach of the Year.
In 1989, Wince and his family relocated to North Carolina, where he served as a volunteer coach in local programs and an official for NCUSA Wrestling. In 1990, he was hired as the head wrestling coach for Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. Throughout his tenure, Wince fulfilled various roles at the university, including head coach for 20 seasons, assistant football coach for three seasons, head cross country coach for three seasons, and Director of Wrestling Operations for two seasons, before retiring from the University in 2012.
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During his time as a coach, Wince guided Gardner-Webb's wrestling program through transitions from NAIA to Division II, eventually achieving a competitive mid-major program at the NCAA Division I level. Under Wince's leadership, the Runnin' Bulldogs produced a total of 16 NCAA Division I national qualifiers. In both 2006 and 2011, he qualified four wrestlers for the Division I national tournament, the current school record. Notably, his son, Erick, was Wince's first NCAA Division I qualifier in 2003 and is currently the head coach at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.
Throughout Gardner-Webb's NAIA and NCAA Division II history, four of Wince's wrestlers earned All-America honors, and eight of his wrestlers received Academic All-America honors. Apart from coaching, Wince has officiated high school, college, Greco-Roman, and Freestyle wrestling for over 30 years. He served in various roles in NCUSA Wrestling from 1989 until 2021.
Wince's contributions to wrestling have earned him multiple accolades, including being named USA Wrestling FILA Junior University Person of the Year (2003), NC Person of the Year for wrestling (2003), and the Frank E. Rader Person of the Year for NC USA Wrestling (2012). Additionally, officiating has earned him the Bobby Walton Award (2013), the NC USA Wrestling Official of the Year (2013), and the USWOA Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).
PIAA State Wrestling Championships
Five Lehigh Valley grapplers traveled to University Park to compete in the 25th PIAA State Wrestling Championships. In the semi-finals, Easton went two for three. Alton Bowyer won easily at 95 with an 8-3 decision while Dick DeWalt at 133 advanced with a tighter 5-3 victory. Willy Falwell (145) lost a close 2-0 bout to eventual state champ, Joe Eremus of Boiling Springs. Bethlehem Liberty was able to go one for two in their semi-final bouts. Dave Clery (138) edged Bob Sanders of Pennsbury 6-5 at 138, but Ron Szabo (120) lost 3-1 to eventual state champ, Drew Bachman of Mt.
1962 State Champs. Kneeling, left to right: Alton Bowyer (95) Easton (11); Tim McCall (103) Erie Strong Vincent (10); Mickey Boudreau (112) Waynesburg (7); Drew Bachman (120) Mount Lebanon (7); Bob Robbins (127) Greenville (10) and Dick DeWalt (133) Easton (11).
| Weight (lbs) | Champion | School |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | Alton Bowyer | Easton |
| 103 | Tim McCall | Erie Strong Vincent |
| 112 | Jim (Mickey) Boudreau | Waynesburg Central |
| 120 | Drew Bachman | Mount Lebanon |
| 127 | Bob Robbins | Greenville |
| 133 | Dick DeWalt | Easton |