Kolat To Remain On Lock Haven Staff
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John Fuller (TheMat.com)
07/31/2002
(Lock Haven, Pa.) - The Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Department of Athletics has announced that Cary Kolat will remain on the wrestling program's staff as an assistant coach for the 2002-03 academic year. Kolat, who returned to Lock Haven in 2001 to assume an assistant wrestling coaching position with the Bald Eagles, will maintain the same duties under first-year head coach Rocky Bonomo as he held in the previous season under former head coach Carl Poff. Last year, Kolat helped lead The Haven wrestlers to a 17-4 overall dual meet record and a 19th-place finish at the NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships with two All-Americans. A two-time national champion for the Bald Eagle wrestling program, Kolat notched his first title at the 134-pound weight class in 1996. The next year, he capped off a perfect 25-0 record by claiming the 142-pound championship. In the process, Kolat became only the second multiple national champion at The Haven, joining three-time champion Gray Simons, who won consecutive titles from 1960-62. Kolat's collegiate accomplishments include four All-America certificates, placing second and third at the NCAA tournament during his two non-championship seasons. He compiled an 111-7 record throughout his collegiate career, including an amazing 50-1 mark after transferring from Pennsylvania State University in 1995. Kolat was a three-time national qualifying tournament winner, claiming the Big Ten title in 1994 and the Eastern Wrestling League championship in 1996 and 1997. He also won both Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships in which he participated, earning titles in 1996 and 1997. Equally impressive is the four PIAA state championships he won while posting a 137-0 record during his scholastic career at Jefferson-Morgan High School. A 2000 Olympian, Kolat is also a three-time U.S. Nationals Champion (1997, 1999, 2000). Internationally, Kolat has gained fame by capturing two World Cup Championships and a silver medal at the 1997 World Championships as well as a bronze in 1998. He also lists two Pan-American Championships among his many international achievements. In addition to Kolat, the coaching staff of Bald Eagle wrestling head coach Rocky Bonomo includes Mike Rogers and Doug Buckwalter.