DAVIDSVILLE — Jarod Feathers didn’t necessarily see this moment coming four years ago.
When the Conemaugh Township coach moved Cory Berchick up to the varsity wrestling team, he didn’t know that Berchick would one day become the school’s all-time leader in career victories.
“I remember Cory coming up as a ninth-grader,” Feathers recalled Tuesday night, after Berchick picked up his 118th career victory in a 45-24 home loss to Somerset.
“He was a quiet kid. I think it was right after our holiday tournament, maybe three weeks in, he really perked up and started turning into the Cory that I know of now.”
Berchick can’t blame Feathers for not seeing a school record in his future – the 152-pound senior said he didn’t know that one day he would stand above all other Conemaugh Township wrestlers either.
“I didn’t have a clue, really,” he said. “I’ve been working for this moment and just keep working all of my life.”
Berchick couldn’t have broken Chris Speranza’s record, which was set in 1996, in much more impressive style. He pinned Somerset’s Josh Darr – a District 5 champion last year – in 3:33. Berchick thrust his arms into the air and walked off the mat while his family unfurled a “Way to go Cory” banner in the stands.
“It’s awesome,” Berchick said of breaking the mark. “It’s the greatest feeling ever.”
Feathers, who also wrestled for Conemaugh Township, appreciated the historical significance of the moment.
“What an accomplishment,” Feathers said. “I think of the names that have come through here – the Speranzas, Cuppetts, Gavins – there’s all kinds of names. To be at the top of that list is quite an accomplishment. He’s worked hard to get to this point and he deserves it.”
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