• About Us
• Photos
• Stories
• Awards
• Homepage
• Contact

Team Blog Entry

~ WRESTLING & PICTURES ~

~ JOHNSTOWN - EARLY MARCH ~
Kristin and I made our yearly trip to Johnstown for the Southwest Regional Wrestling that was held in the War Memorial. I still have to say it here, it is very strange to be heading that way and not be going to Pleasure Valley. Of course I saw all sorts of Cernic ads and vehicles to help keep me comfortable in the rather old venue of the War Memorial. Coming around the circle to get out on the floor to take pictures of our wrestlers I came across a very nice working quad with a sign on it for Cernics.. Of course there where many boys hanging around it. At the break Jeff had given me a good place to eat at near the arena and Kris and I headed to it. As we got closer to it you could hear the voices from inside and as we opened the door we could see that there wasn't room for one more person. I was really looking forward to the best darn tacos around but had to head over to good ole McDonalds. Hopefully next year. Did I mention snow...... well if you like snow Johnstown is the place to live. It put it down Friday night, over 12 inches fell that really made it a mess for all involved not too mention walking around it all Saturday. It warmed up but not too many places to park in the city. I always go looking for Scott McGill. He is a wrestling coach of Chestnut Ridge who has a very highly respected wrestling program. I spotted him getting ready to help his wreslter thru his match. We were able to speak for a few moments after his match but will have to catch up some other time for it gets pretty intence down on that floor.... just like the gate area for your rider. I also saw that there was a Berky wrestling from a local school that would be near Field of Dreams... so I guess that he must be related to the Berky's there.
All in all it was a nice trip. None of our 5 wrestlers made it to the big dance at Hershey but they did have a good show and 2 of them placed 6th. Its hard to see seniors miss out on that last chance. Makes me cry for them, but their lives are just starting and many more wonderful things are going to be there for them. So with all that said Kris and I will be heading for Hershey for our yearly trip to the PIAA State Championships. We watch the AA with wrestlers from around here that we follow. It is a great time with the exciting talent of this sport and the wonderful people that we stay with. JUST LIKE A NATIONAL, well with out the crazy nights..... HAHA Have a great day......


Looking back again..... finding a few pictures to share. I was in my 2001 & 2002 photo albums looking for a rider but found myself looking at some of the changes over the past 7 years. Not drastic changes but still changes.
Field of Dreams - the biggest change was the taking out the awesome "Turn". It came right after a nasty whoop section and it was spectacular. Shane Lawson really put a show on there.
Beaver Valley Well changes not really just that there really use to be a Beaver Valley. Old tires, old vehicles, well just old. I remember afew times that we where there a rider went off the gate before he was suppose to and they started it again with him going off facing the other way. Not sure if it was Brian Gerth or Gene Stull. (They still fnished first)
High Point - Okay these aren't really that old but I do miss the wall that use to be there. Lots of great riders sprayed that wall with dirt. It should be in the Hall of Fame!
Pleasure Valley So fast we forget about some things. "The Snow Fence", what a big change in the fencing at PVR. I'm not even sure how to comment on this fence. I know Aaron got acquainted with the one going down the hill to the pond one Sunday. Tore his jersey and his stomach. Great improvement on the fencing. Of course the gate area has a covered roof now, keeps the rain and sun off the riders.
Steel City - The track it self looks narrower coming around the finsh line turn. No big wonderful building in 2001. Staging was in a different place. In 2002 the whoop section was an obsticle to deal with. The one picture is a rider tripling out of it. AWESOME! (Can't remember who it was) Aaron's pole up above the starting area has a lot more stickers on it now but this was the first back in 2001.

SURPRISE YOUR RIDER.....

Posted by Arlene on 02.17.08 @ 09:58 PM ET | Top of Page

In Loving Memory of Aaron W. Lantzer, 1980-2001