20 years ago: Remembering Juniata’s first PIAA team title
Softball team hopes to add a second crown on Friday
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MIFFLINTOWN -- There's something special about striking it rich by winning PIAA gold. It's a feeling few in Mifflintown have ever experienced - at least as a team of high school athletes.
The last time it happened was 20 years ago when Juniata High School's 2003 wrestling team captured the PIAA Class 2-A Dual Meet Team Championship at the Giant Center in Hershey. Former head coach Bob Hart, who coached the Indians for 20 magical seasons, remembers winning the crown like it was yesterday.
"It's one of your goals every year - to win a district and state wrestling championship," said the 55-year-old Hart, who retired at the end of the school year after 34 years as an educator and coach. "We were fortunate enough that everything worked out."
The same could be said for Juniata's softball team, which will play in the PIAA Tournament Class 3-A championship game at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Penn State's Nittany Lion Softball Park.
Some photos from the 2003 championship wrestling season popped up on social media as Juniata's softball team inched closer to a possible state crown. The photos of the wrestling team recognized the school's first team championship.
One photo captured Hart, overwhelmed by emotion, as he cradled his head in his head and sobbed as the reality of the moment set in. He was consoled by former 215-pound wrestler Dan Drewes as the two celebrated Juniata's lone state title to date.
"We felt we had the talent and the work ethic and the individuals to get it done," Hart said. "The community, the wrestlers and the coaches were on the same page and worked together."
The "Big Red Machine," as they were coined back in the day, downed Brockway 39-23 to earn Juniata's first state championship in a team sport.
Winning the title provided a sense of relief after having to perform at such a high level. The pressure mounted as the Indians neared the championship round.
"It was such a high level of intensity all season long," Hart said. "A lot of the guys and coaches and other people involved put so much time into it."
Hart recalled the thrill of victory as his wrestlers hoisted him on their shoulders in jubilation. He clenched a fist and pumped it into the air, while clutching the championship hardware in his other hand. Many of the wrestlers also raised a finger, indicating they were number one - championships of the mats for that season.
"It was an unbelievable feeling," he added. "It isn't one or two people, it's everybody working together. Looking back at it - it was 20 years ago - but there's still such a great feeling of accomplishment to reach one of your goals at the highest level."
Now, the title-winning team might have some company as the Indians softball team is one victory away from bringing Juniata a second state title to put in its trophy case.
Hart has followed the softball team during its quest.
"They've had a great year," he said. "It's good to see the success of any program."
Even though 20 years have passed, the Indian coaches, wrestlers and fans will be forever bonded by that championship moment.
"I still see a lot of them in the community here and there," Hart said of his relationship with his former wrestlers. "I've tried to keep track of all the guys over the years. It's tough, but hopefully they're still making out well."