Mary resigns as Canon-Mac wrestling coach
After 13 successful seasons at the helm, Chris Mary has resigned his position as Canon-McMillan’s high school wrestling coach. The departure was approved at the May 20 school board meeting.
Mary said his family was the main reason he stepped down. Mary and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Ava Marie, 3, and Alivia, 1. “Family first,” he said. “It’s time to spend more time at home with them.”
Recently named national Coach of the Year by USA Wrestling Magazine, Mary compiled a 214-42 record during his 23 years of coaching at Canon-Mac.
He guided CM to five PIAA team tournament titles over the past three seasons. Mary also coached six state champions, half of them this winter. Seniors Connor Schram and Cody Wiercioch won their second state titles under Mary this season. Solomon Chishko also won PIAA gold.
Mary also led the Big Macs to four straight WPIAL team titles from 2010-2013. Under his leadership, Canon-Mac has not lost a section dual meet since 2001.
Mary started as an assistant coach, under his brother, Phil. After those five years at Peters Township, he joined Ken Smith’s staff at Canon-McMillan.
Named East Region Coach of the Year by Open Mat last season, Mary has earned that distinction 12 times at the section level, five times for the WPIAL and twice for the PIAA. He has coached in the Dapper Dan Classic five times.
In addition to six state champions, Mary has coached 72 section champs and 20 WPIAL winners. Under Mary, CM has had 34 state place winners, 13 Dapper Dan representatives and three participants in the USA Dream Team Classic.
Mary wrestled at Chartiers-Houston. For the Buccaneers, he earned three WPIAL titles and collected two silver medals and one bronze in PIAA state competition. He posted a 98-6-3 career record and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the 1984 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. Mary also helped Char-Houston win the 1982 PIAA Class AAA Team Tournament despite having a Class AA enrollment.
Speaking on behalf of the CM grapplers he coach, two-time state champion, Connor Shram, said that he was sad to see Mary leave. He added that is was “a great experience” being coached by Mary. “He was a good guy and a great coach.”