NTL WRESTLING: TOWANDA'S GREEN TO CONTINUE HIS WRESTLING CAREER AT PITT-JOHNSTOWN (2022-05-16)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Towanda’s Bryant Green decided where he was going to take his wrestling career, and it’s a place he’s had in mind for a long time.

“Pitt-Johnstown was one of the places I’ve looked ever since the beginning of my high school career,” said Green. “And the last couple of years, I didn’t know if that was something that I was going to be able to achieve, at least wresting in their program, but now that I’ve gotten accepted in, and I’m committed, it’s a really big step for me, and I’m super excited.”

After three injury plagued years Green went on to state medal as a senior, while leading the Knights back to dual meet prominence as finished top six in the district team wise.

“It’s extremely rewarding for Bryant to be following his dream,” said Towanda coach Bill Sexton. “He’s worked incredibly hard, he’s had more than his share of setbacks, from an injury standpoint, and the things he’s had to overcome, and it was very rewarding to see him have the senior year that he had, and now to have an opportunity to take his talents to the next level. It’s going to be fun to watch him.”

Green was pursued by King’s College, but felt that Pitt-Johnstown was a much better fit.

“I like the campus itself,” said Green. “The acreage that it’s on, it’s out of town, and it’s just like it’s own outdoors woods.”

They also have some similarities to Towanda, which Green liked.

“It’s got history,” described Green. “It’s got a coach that’s been there for a long time, and it’s kind of like Towanda with Coach Sexton.”

Their coach, Pat Pecora, has been the coach since 1976, and is the All-Time Winningest Coach in college wrestling at all divisions of the NCAA, plus NAIA and Junior College.

Through 44 seasons he has over 600 wins, with two NCAA Division-II National Championships under his belt, among a host of other accomplishments.

They were the NCAA Division-II Super Region I Tournament Champions this past season, while taking 12th as a team at the Division-II Championships, with two top eight finishers.

While it may feel like a short stay at Towanda for Green, who missed most of his first two seasons, and all of his junior year, due to injuries, Sexton believes he left a strong impression, especially on the younger wrestlers this year.

“He was a very important part of our team,” said Sexton. “We had a lot of young talent, unproven talent, and, I think they just kind of fed off of Brian. He’s a tremendous leader, even having missed as many years as he had, he was still there. He knew what needed to be done. He was the guy that provided the example - this is what you do. You work hard, good things can happen, and now he’s just showing it again.”

The hard work Green put in will be his lasting legacy at Towanda, that and his perseverance. 

“I think number one is probably his incredible work ethic,” Sexton said. “He is also a goal setter, and it was very hard to attain his goals, particularly for this year, and it’s just nice to see him reach that point.”

Green comes in with less experience than most seniors, but he sees that as an asset - it just means he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet.

“I definitely just want to try to reach my potential because I think I have potential, and I haven’t been able to show it.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Towanda’s Bryant Green (center) signs his letter of intent to wrestle at Pitt-Johnstown…PHOTO BY CHRIS MANNING