District 9 Wrestling Coaches induct 16th Hall of Fame class

By Scott Shindledecker

HYDE, Pa. — The District 9 Chapter of the Pa. Wrestling Coaches Association inducted its 16th Hall of Fame Class Saturday at Clearfield High School.

Headlining the class were two two-time state champs in Brockway’s Andy Rendos and Coudersport’s Dirk Cowburn. Also in the Class in 2016 were Redbank Valley’s Johnathan Brothers, a state champion, coaches Jim Baker, John Bernardo, John Kriner, Randy Loudon, and Christopher Loudon in the Fallen Heroes category.

• Rendos, a 2006 Brockway graduate, won AA state titles in 2005-06 for the Rovers and finished with a career mark of 144-16. At Bucknell University, Rendos was 121-32 and a two-time Division II All-American. He currently lives in Wellsboro, Pa.
• Cowburn, a 2010 graduate of Coudersport, won state titles in 2008-09, was a state runner-up in 2010 and was fourth in 2007. Cowburn was a member of the Penn State Nittany Lions National Championship teams from 2011-13. He and his wife Karli live in Coudersport.
• Brothers, a 2008 Redbank graduate, won a state title in 2008 and compiled a career mark of 132-22. He was chosen as a Dapper Dan participant in ’08. He lives in the Summerville area.
• Bernardo, a 1966 Brookville High School graduate, coached the Brockway Rovers for 22 years, amassing a record of 158-61-6. Bernardo coached 21 District 9 champions and two PIAA medal winners. He also coached two D-9 team champions in 1983 and ’88. Bernardo wrestled for coaching legends Les Turner and Gray Simons, whom he credits for his successful wrestling career. Bernardo lives, with his wife Diane, in Brockway.
• Kriner, taught at Port Allegany from 1970-2004. Never a wrestler himself, Kriner developed a love for the sport and started the Gators program in 1973. He was the head coach from 1973-79 and from 1986-94, finishing with a career mark of 145-85-1. He coached nine D-9 champions and one PIAA champion. He resides in Smethport with his wife of 46 years, Terry.
• Baker taught in the Cameron County School District from 1958-91 and coached the Red Raiders from 1968-74 with six D-9 champs. Baker was also a D-9 official from 1976-86 and was a Junior Program coordinator for many years. He resides in Emporium with his wife of 61 years, Sandy.
• Randy Loudon is a 1972 Oil City graduate and won a PSAC championship at Slippery Rock University in 1975. He began his coaching career at Elk County Christian in 1976 until 1983. From 1983-2003, Loudon was an assistant at St. Marys Area, then an assistant at Brockway from 2009-11 and the Rovers head coach from 2011-14. He also was an annual participant at the Clarion University Summer Camps from 1989-2012. He said it was an honor to be part of the careers of many district, regional and state champions. Randy lives in Brockway with his wife Susan.
• Army Second Lt. Christopher Loudon, 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Platoon, C Company, was a 2001 Brockway graduate. He wrestled, played soccer, band and schools plays while achieving Eagle Scout. Christopher’s military career began at Slippery Rock in the ROTC. While on patrol Oct. 17, 2006, Lt. Loudon was killed when the Humvee he was riding in was exploded by a roadside bomb in Bagdad, Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Jacey, father, Randy, mother, Susan and several siblings. Loudon is the second inductee from District 9 in the Fallen Heroes category.