By 1974, the Chambersburg wrestling program was still looking for an identity. The Trojans had become competitive as a team and several wrestlers had made postseason advances.
But Chambersburg was still looking for its breakthrough moment.
Enter Craig Helmuth.
By the time Helmuth finished his senior season, he had put the Trojans on the Pennsylvania wrestling map by defeating an elite field to win the 119-pound weight class at the PIAA Wrestling Championships.
Helmuth was not considered a favorite for the PIAA title. He had lost only twice all year, but one was to Newport’s Andy Zook in the District 3 final, and Zook was also in the state bracket.
Yet Helmuth prevailed. He ended up beating four wrestlers at states who had a combined record of 92-2-1, including three regional champions.
On the first day, he rallied to defeat Dan Bedesen of Council Rock, 8-6, then followed with a pin in 4:57 over Dan Severen of Saucon Valley. In the semifinals the next day, Helmuth needed a takedown with 0:11 left to edge Tim Waller of SpringFord, 3-1.
The final was a high-scoring affair against Clay Fink of Tyrone. Leading 8-7, Helmuth secured a reversal with 0:54 left and rode Fink out for a 10-7 victory.
Helmuth said, “Lee Powell was my coach, and although he never wrestled, he was a student of the sport. He didn’t just teach me how to succeed in wrestling, but also how to succeed in life. Most of my success as a high school teacher and coach was a result of what Coach Powell taught me.”
After compiling a record of 67-15-2 with the Trojans, Helmuth’s wrestling career continued at Gettysburg College, where he had a record of 89-12-1.
As a freshman for the Bullets in 1975, Helmuth went all the way to capture an NCAA Division III national title, beating Binghamton’s Tim Borshoff in the final, 4-2. In his college career, Helmuth was a 3-time NCAA Division III All-American, a 4-time national qualifier and a 3-time Middle Atlantic Conference champion.
After graduating, he settled into a teaching and coaching career at Red Land High School in Lewisberry. In his 35 years as the Patriot coach, his dual meet record was 241-329 and his teams won two Mid Penn Keystone crowns.
But, drawing from his experiences, Helmuth coached three of his wrestlers to PIAA championships – John Worley, Brad Bush (2 titles) and Brian Baglio. All three also won their bouts in the Dapper Dan Classic (PA vs. USA all-stars) and two were named PA’s Outstanding Wrestler.
Helmuth’s achievements have earned him several honors: Gettysburg College Hall of Fame, Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, District 3 Wrestling Hall of Fame and West Shore Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
By Ed Gotwals
