USC celebrating 60 years of wrestling
Alumni contributions recognized
The holidays were for reminiscing but at Upper St. Clair they will be recalling the glory days throughout 2025 as the Panthers continue to celebrate 60 years of wrestling.
The first season started during the 1964-65 school year under head coach Ed Rusciolelli.
In 60 years, the Panthers have produced 13 different state qualifiers. Eight of them captured medals.
Grapplers such as Tom Pappas, Mike Dinardo, Joe Solomon, Austin Wilding, Eli Grape, Jake Slinger, Tom Bogan and Mack McGuire have cemented their names among PIAA place winners. Bogan and McGuire were state champions.
“Some great years,” McGuire said. “Hopefully this program continues to have some more and keeps getting better and better.”
McGuire has a vested interest in USC’s progress. He and Grape are serving as coaches within the organization. McGuire with the youth program and Grape at the junior high level.
“There’s a lot of energy here and a lot of support,” McGuire said. “A lot of great things are being put forth with coaches like Chris Tarr and the wrestlers are putting forth a great effort. You can see it. We have good kids coming through the system and it’s awesome.”
Grape agreed. He and McGuire were among those alumni recognized before a December dual match against West Mifflin.
“It’s great to be back and to be helping give back to a program that has been good to me.”
Grape, like McGuire, is one of 12 USC graduates that are members of the school’s Century Club. Each recorded 132 career victories to rank second behind Jake Slinger, who leads the list with 138 triumphs.
The other Century Club members include: Bogan (114), Zach Hawk (105), Russell Kropp, Mike McGuire (101), Tom Kyle (104), Garrett Walnoha (101) and the Wilding brothers: Austin (114), Corey (113) and Brooks (103).
Grape was a two-time PIAA medalist, placing seventh and eighth in 2017 and 2016. He was a two-time WPIAL runner-up and a three-time sectional champion.
Grape wrestled at Lehigh University while earning an undergraduate degree in supply chain management and a masters in entrepreneurship. Currently, he works as a financial advisor for New York Life.
“It’s awesome because I am in the office three days a week and home two days so I am able to coach five days a week,” he said.
While he knows his work situation is temporary because he may have to leave the area if he receives a promotion, Grape is content to stay in the area.
“I’d love to settle down here because I do like it a lot,” he said.
Grape added that being a coach lends a different perspective regarding his career on the mats. He now recognizes his long-term contribution to the program.
“Whenever you are 16, 17 years old, the talk of legacy doesn’t mean too much to you but now that I am older and looking back, I know that I was able to lead an impactful program,” he said. “The kids now look up at the banners and see that I was able to do something that maybe they will be able to do too if they put in the work.”
McGuire endured the grind to become a two-time state finalist. He was runner-up as a junior and PIAA champion in 2012. He was a two-time WPIAL champion.
McGuire went on to become a four-time NCAA qualifier at Kent State University. He’s also a member of the school’s Century Club with 109 career victories.
Though McGuire earned a degree in speech pathology and audiology, he has transitioned into business. While working as a graduate assistant coach at Cleveland State, McGuire earned his MBA. He currently works in sales for an appointment rental company while residing in Carnegie.
“While I might get back to (speech), I wanted to make a change. I definitely can see the fun in business and the enjoyment of all the dynamics of it,” he said.
The joy of business reminds McGuire of his wrestling days at USC. While the victories played a major part in his success, the camaraderie of competing in a sport with his friends trumped those experiences.
“Being a one-time state champion and one-time runner-up was an awesome accomplishment but wrestling with a great group of guys, guys that I grew up with and are still friends with today, means more to me. I see it now. As coaches today we preach to (the wrestlers) that they will develop deep friendships and there will be great lessons learned from going through things on the mat. That triumphs over all the other things.”
McGuire cited three success stories regarding USC wrestling. He noted that all three Wilding brothers are currently Navy Seals and stationed at Virginia Beach.
“They are representing our country. I and all of USC are proud of them for it.”
When he wrestled for the Panthers, McGuire wore the colors with pride. He had extra incentive as he noted that many of the singlets he wore were designed by his mother, Caroline.
“We had some really cool singlets,” he said. “Those singlets really helped me gain a lot of strength. We looked great out there,” he added. “We were great believers in “look good, feel good” and we wrestled well. So I give a lot of credit for my success to those awesome singlets,” added the son of Mike McGuire.
While today’s grapplers are donning simple black singlets with USC emblazoned in white on the left leg, they are breaking with the tradition of being ordinary. The 60th anniversary year is off to a resounding start.
The Panthers are 9-1 overall heading into a key section match, hosting Peters Township at 7 p.m. Jan. 8.
The lone loss occurred before the holiday break against West Mifflin, 38-33. In the bout, USC lost four matches by fall and one by tech fall.
“We wrestled well, but West Mifflin wrestled better,” said Tarr. “I give credit to West Mifflin. Their wrestlers made things happen and they were scrappy.”
In the loss were lessons.
“Our entire team learned that all points and matches matter. Bonus points were the difference,” Tarr said. “Our wrestlers need to learn and understand that if they are going to lose, they need to only lose by a regular decision. Giving up bonus points at the end of matches will factor into the outcome.”
USC is benefiting from its fast start. Results are evident. And, a group of 33 wrestlers in the room, are affording added practice.
“Our wrestlers are becoming more confident in their abilities and we have healthy competition in the room,” Tarr said. “We have some very close, intense matches. Kids know that they have to perform and wrestle well in order to make the starting lineup.”
Tarr noted that during the holiday break several alumni attended practices. They also talked about their experiences as a USC wrestler. These alumni contributions cement Tarr’s objectives for USC wrestling.
“Since day one under my leadership, we have stressed and promoted a “Program” mindset,” he said. “Our program includes our youngest Little Panther and our oldest alumni. All alumni are always welcome to rejoin the program in any way possible. I want to make sure that all alumni feel that their time and contributions to the USC wrestling program will always be remembered.”
The 2025 club as well as future teams are working on their legacy. Expectations are for the current Panthers to contribute even more to the school’s storied tradition.
“My hope is that our teams continue to grow in numbers, popularity, and in quality,” Tarr said. “It is my goal to make this the greatest era in USC wrestling.”