Two wrestlers have been selected to become members of the Tyrone Area High School Wrestling Hall of Fame for the Class of 2007.
Todd Campbell and Bill Dixon are both being honored as wrestlers prior to the Tyrone/Penns Valley varsity wrestling match at 3 p.m. today.
TODD CAMPBELL: Mr. Campbell wrestled four years under coach Tony Yaniello from 1980-81 through 1983-84, As a four-year starter, Todd won 87 matches and was a two-time District 6-AA champion, a Northwest Regional runner-up and a two-time PIAA state qualifier.
Todd’s most memorable match was a 5-2 decision over defending district champion Dave Burkett of Claysburg-Kimmel to capture his first district title in 1982. As a senior team captain in 1983-84, Todd decisioned Wade Williams of Bald Eagle Nittany by a 6-2 score to earn his second district title. Todd’s next stop was the Central Northwest Regional tournament at Clarion, where he finished second to Everett’s Paul Clark, whom e refers to as his toughest opponent. The following week at the PIAA state championships in Hershey, Todd lost to Danville’s Rob Meloy in the semifinals, but went on to win the sixth-place medal.
During his career, Todd helped lead the Tyrone Golden Eagles to titles in the District 6-AA Team championships in 1981 and 1983. Tyrone was the Central Wrestling Conference AA champion and the Central Northwest Regional champion in 1983 as well. The Golden Eagles finished the wrestling season with a fourth place at Hershey.
Todd is currently employed at Penn State University in the Physical Plant Department and keeps busy as assistant wrestling coach in the elementary program in State College. Todd and his wife Paula have one son-four-year old Tyden. Congratulations Todd!!
BILL DIXON: Mr. Dixon also wrestled under coach Yaniello from 1981-82 through 1983-84. As a three-year starter, Bill won over 55 matches, many by fall, was a two-time District 6-AA champion and a PIAA state qualifier.
Bill dominated Bald Eagle Nittany’s Jerry Warner by an 11-2 score to win his first district title in 1982. In 1983, Bill reached the district finals by defeating old nemesis Shawn Copenhaver of Chief Logan in the semifinals. In the finals, Bill decked Daryl Martin of Bald Eagle Nittany at the 5:11 mark to win his second district title. At the Central Northwest Regional Tournament, Bill finished in fourth place to earn his trip to the PIAA state championships at Hershey. Bill’s bid to become a state champion came to an end when he lost to Northern Schuykill’s Steve Cesari. Bill was a starter on the District 6-AA Golden Eagles team champs of 1981 and a team captain of the eagle teams that won titles at the District 6-AA and Central Northwest Regional Tournaments in 1983. At the conclusion of the 1983-84 season, Bill, along with teammate Todd Campbell were selected to participate in an all-star match that featured the top area wrestlers vs. the New Zealand National Team.
Bill is currently employed as Vice President of Manufacturing at Dixon Tool and Die. He keeps busy as an assistant coach for the elementary wrestling program in Tyrone. Bill and his wife Brenda have two children, twins Sage and Taylor. Congratulations Bill!!
Information on the selection of the Class of 2007 to the Tyrone Area Wrestling Hall of Fame has been provided by Dan Patterson.
