Courtesy of John Harrison
Steve was a two-time All-American wrestler for Penn State. He also was a team captain, a two-time EWL champion, the 1981 EWL Freshman of the Year, the 1981 EWL Tournament Outstanding Wrestler and he is a member of the EWL Hall of Fame. Additionally, Steve was a starter at defensive end for Joe Paterno’s football Nittany Lions.
Steve was another great heavyweight for us. Unfortunately, he wrestled at a time when there was no upper weight limit at heavyweight. Steve was in the 225-235 pound range and I remember him wrestling some 350-400 pound heavyweights. This size differential really made a difference–the referees then would not call the heavyweight matches the way they would the other nine weight classes. If a big guy, say 350 plus pounds, pushes against a smaller guy, say a guy Steve’s size, the smaller guy will usually get moved back, but this doesn’t mean that the bigger guy was necessarily trying to take him down or create some action. Often, in doing this, he is just trying to get the smaller guy called for stalling. This is what alot of the big guys did then, and this often forced Steve to try to take something that wasn’t there.
Steve wrestled like a lower weight in terms of quickness, explosion and technique. He was such a devoted young man, he was one of the most dedicated heavyweight athletes that we have ever had here and we’ve had some great ones. If the weight limits for heavyweights that are in place today were in place when Steve wrestled, instead of being a two-time All-American, he would have been a two-time National Champion.
-former Penn State head coach, Rich Lorenzo
Steve, what have you been doing since you graduated from Penn State?
I am living in Windham, NH which is 40 miles north of Boston MA. My wife, Mary Rose, and I have a daughter, Rebecca Kelly, who is three years old. I work for Mobil Oil Corporation as a Sales and Business Consultant. I started working for Mobil Corp. after my Graduation from PSU in 1985.
How did you get started in wrestling?
My brothers Andrew, John and Chris were the reason I started wrestling.I had no choice in the matter, plus I don’t think we had a basketball at home.
What are your best memories from the years you spent as a Penn State wrestler?
My best memories of PSU wrestling were the comraderie with my teammates, the van rides home from the matches, running up Mt Nittany and the Beaver Stadium steps, and our coaches Rich (Lorenzo), John (Fritz) and Hachiro (Oishi).
Do you still follow collegiate wrestling?
I try; there is no national wrestling news in New England, so I rely on receiving newspaper articles from my mom and using the internet to get PSU wrestling news.
What advice do you have for collegiate wrestlers today?
I have no special words of advice except to work hard but also enjoy your time at PSU, it goes quick!
Thanks Steve!
