Every year Patriot Alumni come together to celebrate history and new seniors who join the alumni ranks. This year our seniors Reid Muscat, Hondo Hamel and Mason Phan got to be a part of a the Golden Age Reunion.
Class of 1991 was a unique one. They had a new coach that joined, Larry Penacho. Under that coach and leadership of some go getter wrestler, the team ended up being League Champions twice with multiple individual League Champions and multiple state qualifiers including a state placer. This group bonded so well that even thirty years later, they all came together in San Diego for a reunion.
In attendance was also Patrick Henry’s very first female wrestler. She paved the way for Patrick Henry’s first female state placer and the girls wrestling team that is there today. She was also the founder of the UCSD Wrestling Club.
In all, over forty wrestler alumni, some with spouses and wives, showed up. Most of them were part of the wrestlers who wrestled between 1988 and 1991. The reunion was put on by team captain Garry Iaconelli, state qualifier Eddie Edwards and team manager Terry Oquendo. The three of them worked for over six months putting together a night to remember. It included food, decorations and awards. Each award had a story, something unique about that individual and their contribution to the team.
Every year Patrick Henry holds a reunion as well as Alumni night during our matches. This is because wrestling is a unique sport. As Aldo Broussard who placed 8th in state said at the reunion: many of the kids who who join wrestling, needed that sport at a time of their life where they might not have had something else. It’s the sport where regardless of your body type, age, race or gender, you are welcome as long as you are willing to work hard and give everything.
It was heart warming to see all of the wrestlers see each other, most of them haven’t seen each other in over 30 years, but it was as if no time had gone by. They joked and laughed as if they were still in that wrestling room.
Our program owes a lot to the alumni. They inspire us every day. They show us that anything is possible. Every generation is there, thanks to the ones who came before them and every generation is an inspiration to the next.
A Message from the Golden Age Alumni Organizers:
To All,
Thanks for attending the Golden Age Reunion! It was quite a success and great to see so many of you. Hopefully, we can capitalize on this event and stay connected and continue to support the PHHS Wrestling community. Below is a link to photos and videos from the event and the presentation.
HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO DONATE YET? If not and if you plan to please click the link below. We look forward to you becoming a supporter/sponsor to the PHHS Wrestling a
Program. We are hoping to raise at least $5K this year in support of the Program. Below are the links to the event, the alumni – team site and to donate. Please add the alumni – team site to your favorites – and look for updates there.
Again, thanks for coming and looking forward to staying connected with you.
Garry, Eddie, & Teresa
Henry-Wrestling 