Mt. Lebanon wrestling unites past with present
Mike Hnath and Kellan Stout were among the Mt. Lebanon wrestlers attending a past alumni reunion. The Blue Devils will host their third annual event on Dec. 22 prior to a match with South Fayette.
By Eleanor Bailey/Almanac Sports Editor/ebailey@thealmanac.net
Chip Gray shares stories with Jeff Iovino and John Hnath at a previous Mt. Lebanon wrestling reunion. The Blue Devils upcoming alumni recognition night will be held Dec. 22 prior to a match with South Fayette.
History will come to life Dec. 22 when Mt. Lebanon hosts South Fayette in scholastic wrestling. Former Blue Devils will be recognized at 5:45 p.m.
Following the varsity match, which has a 6 p.m. start, an alumni social will be held at Duke’s Rib House & Grille, located at 1910 Cochran Road.
“Over the years we have tried to instill in our wrestlers the rich tradition and history of our program,” said Bill Lewis, who coached Lebo for 14 seasons. “There have been many great wrestlers and people who have gone through the program and succeeded not only on the mat but in life.”
Hence, Lewis is excited about the third-annual event with links current grapplers with the Lebo’s storied past. Blue Devil wrestling boasts five undefeated seasons, 22 section titles, seven WPIAL banners and two state crowns. Individually, there have been 34 WPIAL champions, 111 district place winners, 14 state champions, 35 PIAA pace winners and 16 Dapper Dan participants.
“Many of the younger wrestlers grew up seeing the names of past alumni on our record boards or hearing stories about them. And the older alumni read about and followed the wrestlers who came after them. So it’s amazing to see them meet each other,” said Lewis, who ranks second
“To listen to younger wrestlers who might have graduated in the 90’s telling someone who graduated back in the 60’s or 70’s how they inspired them is awesome. It’s great to get everyone together and to listen to them share stories and continue to pass down the rich tradition and history to others,” said Lewis, who ranks only behind legendary George Lamprinakos (332-129-6) in coaching victories.
Lebo’s heritage can be seen in its youth and the past appears on the cusp of repeating itself.
Most recently, for example, the Blue Devils finished third at the Eastern Area Invitational to kick off the 2018-19 season. Kiski and Franklin Regional captured championship and runner-up laurels.
Luke Stout won the 182-pound weight class while Nathan Hoaglund scored runner-up honors at heavyweight. Bronze medalists included Jackson Gray (145) and Mac Stout (160) while Sean McKinney (fourth), Regis Wintermantel (fifth) and Elliot McGregor (sixth) were placewinners.
According to Chip Gray, who is co-booster chair for the alumni reunion, there are over 100 youth wrestlers in the program that incorporates grades K-6. Plus, the varsity has one of the largest rosters in the WPIAL.
“It continues to grow and improve,” added Gray. “The energy of the program is contagious and building. Mt. Lebanon wrestling is a family from ages 5 to 90.
Noting also Lebo’s facilities are better than most Division I college programs and the fact the Blue Devils have a handful of wrestlers that have a legitimate chance to qualify for the PIAA tournament this March, Gray is anxious to spread the word through the upcoming alumni reunion.
“The greatest thrill of seeing our alumni is sharing the good news about the success and continued growth of the wrestling program,” he said.
For the past three years, Gray has worked with Lewis to put together the alumni event. The idea for the reunion arose while Mt. Lebanon worked to update its historical displays and record books in partnership with the Lamprinakos family. The clan and other alumni were helpful in assisting Lewis as he endeavored to fill in the gaps.
There were so many great stories being shared through group emails and past teammates and coaches reconnecting. Along the way we felt the next logical step was to get everyone together,” Lewis explained.
For Lewis, it was his way of supporting a program he loved after health issues forced him to turn the coaching reigns over to Marc Allemang. Lewis was a PIAA runner-up at Peters Township High School. He wrestled for the University of Pittsburgh while earning his bachelor of arts degree in society and his master’s degree in secondary education. Lewis, who teaches social studies at Mt. Lebanon High School, joined forces with Gray as they rallied to unite the past with the present.
Gray also bleeds Blue and Gold. The owner of RW Gray Executive Search became one of the Blue Devils’ booster reps around the time Lewis resigned his head coaching position. Gray’s sons Turner (Class of 2017) and Jackson (2020) as well as his nephew, Colin, wrestled for the Blue Devils.
“(Chip) was the perfect person to partner with to get our alumni recognition off the ground,” Lewis said. “It has been a wonderful event since its inception.”
Every decade going back to 1960 is represented during the alumni night, including some past state champions.
Lewis summed up the significance of the interface between the past and present.
“It is great that the current wrestlers can see and meet generations of former wrestlers who walked the same halls and shared many of the same experiences,” Lewis added. “And, it is rewarding to see the fellowship between alumni and excitement of reuniting with a former teammate or meeting one of your childhood heroes.”