Varsity Record: 10 Wins, 2 Losses
JV Record: 12 Wins, 2 Losses

1965-66 Bishop Kearney Kings Varsity Wrestling Team

FRONT ROW: Ron Rucker (asst. coach), Dan Oberst, Pete Scott, Don Vella, Phil Dollard, John Numetko, Tony Joy, Tom Garney (manager). MIDDLE ROW: Tom Ciaccio, Gene Oberst, Greg Brown, Al Ozminkowski, Art Rogers, Rich Palmer, Pat Walsch, Terry Mather (head coach). BACK ROW: Rich Moll, Ed Habza, Tom Bailey, Mike Callan, Glen Barnard. (SOURCE: Crown and Sceptre, Bishop Kearney High School, 1966. Click for larger image.)

The mark of a great team is its ability to bounce back after heartbreaking disappointment. The BK varsity wrestling team has proved its greatness. Having won its first seven meets, the team suffered two close defeats, shattering hopes for an undefeated season. Undaunted by these setbacks, the Kings rebounded in their final three matches, taking victories with the cumulative total of 118-12!

Any doubts about BK's superiority over other area teams were dispelled at the Eastridge Christmas Tournament. Here the Kings took tourney honors as the edged out seven other squads, including the host team and Madison, county and city champs, respectively. The grapplers further attested to their prowess as they garnered the New York State Catholic Championship, beating their nearest rival by almost fifty points.

The only tournament letdown came in the Leo Tournament in Chicago, where the matmen had to settle for a second place finish. Nonetheless, it was a strong second, considering the caliber of the opposition, which came from many parts of the country.

In dual matches, BK added to this great record by defeating such local powers as Eastridge, Irondequoit, Franklin, and McQuaid. There were, unfortunately, two losses ―― one to Ithaca, the other to East Rochester, but valid excuses can be presented in the defense of the team's showings. Adverse weather conditions prevented practicing for a week, and a key performer was injured. Head Coach Terry Mather offers no alibis, however, most likely because he can look forward to next year's bright prospects, when he will have eight returning starters, besides members of a junior varsity team which posted a record of 12-2. (Crown and Sceptre, 1966)

1965-66 Bishop Kearney Kings JV Wrestling Team

FRONT ROW: Jim Fischer, Pete Carrillo, Jeff Culkin, Gary Malinchak, Don Brennan, Emmett Whalen, Joe Sudore, Mike Salamone. MIDDLE ROW: Tom McDonald, Dave Smith, Tom Sanger, Nick Habes, Mark Schleuter, Don Germano, Fred Calcagno, Jerry Manion, Brother P.C. Leavy (coach). BACK ROW: John Kwiatkowski, Pete Garney, Ben Tarantino, John Keegan, Gary Ozminkowski, Mike Born. (SOURCE: Crown and Sceptre, Bishop Kearney High School, 1966. Click for larger image.)

The BK JV wrestling team shared two major attributes with their varsity counterparts -- they both won often and decisively. Moreover, they had that all-important quality of returning with renewed strength for each match, even after defeat.

The junior grapplers gave evidence of this, when, after suffering a disappointing two-point loss to Eastridge in their initial contest, they abruptly turned around and crushed Churchville-Chili and Wayne Central, by the scores of 48-10 and 44-6, respectively. The Kings moved on to win six consecutive victories, tripping up such strong contenders as Irondequoit, Rush-Henrietta, and Franklin. Then, however, came the major letdown of the season, as the JV's fell to Ithaca, 40-8. The score, though, does not tell the whole story, as consideration must be given to the fact that before the match, the team experienced a ten-day lay-off because of snow. True to form, the team soon resumed its winning streak, collecting victories in all four of its remaining matches, including an overwhelming 47-3 conquest of St. Mary's of Lancaster.

Having a fine 12-2 record to show for their efforts, the JV wrestlers have reason for pride and optimism. So, too, does Head Coach Brother P.C. Leavy, for he has molded the boys, many of whom were inexperienced freshmen, into strong competitors. (Crown and Sceptre, 1966)

Eastridge Christmas Tournament - 1st place
Leo Tournament (Chicago) - 2nd place
New York State Catholic Championships - 1st place

Bishop Kearney 25, Eastridge 16
Bishop Kearney 27, Wayne 18
Bishop Kearney 25, Irondequoit 15
Bishop Kearney 40, Greece Olympia 8
Bishop Kearney 40, Greece Arcadia 5
Bishop Kearney 33, McQuaid 3
Bishop Kearney 33, Franklin 10
Bishop Kearney 17, Ithaca 22
Bishop Kearney 20, East Rochester 24
Bishop Kearney 43, St. Mary's of Lancaster 3
Bishop Kearney 37, Cardinal Mooney 3
Bishop Kearney 38, Rush-Henrietta 6