- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 404,053
- Reaction score
- 43
ARMAGH, Pa. – United High School senior Gideon Bracken is well aware of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s wrestling history through the years.
Getting to see the camaraderie that exists within the program stood out to Bracken more than the 1996 and 1999 NCAA Division II team titles, 172 All-Americans and 15 individuals who combined for 23 national titles. Bracken envisions himself thriving in that environment, which was started by the late Pat Pecora and continued under coach Tyler Reinhart.
Bracken signed to join the accomplished wrestling program at Pitt-Johnstown Friday afternoon.
“I love that UPJ has had a brotherhood of guys,” Bracken said. “Pecora was a legendary coach and then Tyler Reinhart was a wrestler of his. It’s like a family. I really love that about them. They care for you in everything. It’s a great wrestling program on top of that.”
Bracken finished his career with 140-38 and 68 pins.
He finished fifth in the state at Class 2A as a junior and senior. Bracken was a four-time state qualifier and finished as District 6 runner-up on three occasions.
The 139-pounder wants to add to Pitt-Johnstown’s rich lineage of success on the mat.
“A lot of guys from United have gone there,” Bracken said. “It would be cool to add to that history and be a part of that wrestling program.
“I have goals that I set for myself that I want to become a national champion for D-II, plus they have a great engineering program, which I want to be a mechanical engineer.”
Bracken finished 41-6 as a senior. His win total climbed every season, from 24 as a freshman to 36 in 2022-23 and 39 as a junior. He helped the Lions claim their first District 6 dual-meet tournament title in 2023.
“Gideon’s been a great kid,” United wrestling coach Josh Henning said.
“I’ve coached him from first grade the whole way up through 12th grade.
“He was always one of the hardest workers in the room, always willing to learn and help his teammates out. He was a tremendous help to his teammates throughout the years. He’s a great wrestler, great kid academically and athletically, just a perfect all-around student-athlete. The hard work added to his natural ability was a perfect combination.”
Bracken also totaled a program-record 88 goals on the soccer field over his career. He was on the 2022 team that won the District 6 Class 1A title.
Despite his prowess on the pitch, wrestling became Bracken’s priority as a freshman.
“I love both sports equally,” Bracken said.
“My grandpa (Bill Blacksmith) was a national champion at the D-I level for Lock Haven. Wrestling’s always run in the family. I’ve grown up with my dad wrestling, my brother wrestling and going to all of the matches.
“In ninth grade, I decided to just put my time in wrestling more than soccer. I picked wrestling just because of where we are. We’re in a great wrestling state, probably the hardest in the country.”
Facing District 6 champ Sam Herring, a Penn State commit and PIAA bronze medalist this year, tested Bracken throughout this past season.
“I wrestled a kid four times this year,” Bracken said. “Each time, I’ve gotten closer and closer to him. The first time, it did not go well at all. The last time, I only lost by four points. I think I progressed over the years. All my coaches help here and I go to Troy Dolan’s Wrestling Club in Derry, they’ve helped me so much because iron sharpens iron. If you have great wrestling partners, they’re going to make you better. I think that’s helped me through the years to get better and progress in neutral, top and bottom.”
Bracken is the son of Ed and Beth Bracken.
Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.
Continue reading...
Getting to see the camaraderie that exists within the program stood out to Bracken more than the 1996 and 1999 NCAA Division II team titles, 172 All-Americans and 15 individuals who combined for 23 national titles. Bracken envisions himself thriving in that environment, which was started by the late Pat Pecora and continued under coach Tyler Reinhart.
Bracken signed to join the accomplished wrestling program at Pitt-Johnstown Friday afternoon.
“I love that UPJ has had a brotherhood of guys,” Bracken said. “Pecora was a legendary coach and then Tyler Reinhart was a wrestler of his. It’s like a family. I really love that about them. They care for you in everything. It’s a great wrestling program on top of that.”
Bracken finished his career with 140-38 and 68 pins.
He finished fifth in the state at Class 2A as a junior and senior. Bracken was a four-time state qualifier and finished as District 6 runner-up on three occasions.
The 139-pounder wants to add to Pitt-Johnstown’s rich lineage of success on the mat.
“A lot of guys from United have gone there,” Bracken said. “It would be cool to add to that history and be a part of that wrestling program.
“I have goals that I set for myself that I want to become a national champion for D-II, plus they have a great engineering program, which I want to be a mechanical engineer.”
Bracken finished 41-6 as a senior. His win total climbed every season, from 24 as a freshman to 36 in 2022-23 and 39 as a junior. He helped the Lions claim their first District 6 dual-meet tournament title in 2023.
“Gideon’s been a great kid,” United wrestling coach Josh Henning said.
“I’ve coached him from first grade the whole way up through 12th grade.
“He was always one of the hardest workers in the room, always willing to learn and help his teammates out. He was a tremendous help to his teammates throughout the years. He’s a great wrestler, great kid academically and athletically, just a perfect all-around student-athlete. The hard work added to his natural ability was a perfect combination.”
Bracken also totaled a program-record 88 goals on the soccer field over his career. He was on the 2022 team that won the District 6 Class 1A title.
Despite his prowess on the pitch, wrestling became Bracken’s priority as a freshman.
“I love both sports equally,” Bracken said.
“My grandpa (Bill Blacksmith) was a national champion at the D-I level for Lock Haven. Wrestling’s always run in the family. I’ve grown up with my dad wrestling, my brother wrestling and going to all of the matches.
“In ninth grade, I decided to just put my time in wrestling more than soccer. I picked wrestling just because of where we are. We’re in a great wrestling state, probably the hardest in the country.”
Facing District 6 champ Sam Herring, a Penn State commit and PIAA bronze medalist this year, tested Bracken throughout this past season.
“I wrestled a kid four times this year,” Bracken said. “Each time, I’ve gotten closer and closer to him. The first time, it did not go well at all. The last time, I only lost by four points. I think I progressed over the years. All my coaches help here and I go to Troy Dolan’s Wrestling Club in Derry, they’ve helped me so much because iron sharpens iron. If you have great wrestling partners, they’re going to make you better. I think that’s helped me through the years to get better and progress in neutral, top and bottom.”
Bracken is the son of Ed and Beth Bracken.
Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.
Continue reading...
