PAT NUGENT, SPRING-FORD WRESTLING

Pat Nugent coached Spring-Ford Area High School=92s wrestling team for 13 s=
easons. During that tenure, the Rams captured nine Pioneer Athletic Confere=
nce (PAC-10) championships. Currently, Nugent serves as principal of the se=
nior high school in Royersford. Nugent is in his sixth year as Spring-Ford =
principal and was assistant principal for three years prior to that time.
Spring-Ford won titles during the 1987-88 season and then again in 1989-90,=
1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98.
Under his guidance, the Rams posted a remarkable PAC-10 record of 104-8-1, =
and he had numous qualify for the PIAA State Championships and some of them=
earned medals at states as well.
The Rams mounted two long winning streaks in wrestling of 37 meet victories=
and then 34 meet victories, which stood up until being broken by Upper Per=
kiomen a number of years ago. The Rams recorded a log of 88-6-1 in an 11-ye=
ar span.
=93There is the thrill of winning and you want the kids to be successful,=
=94 Nugent said. =93I was very fortunate. I had a lot of good kids, a lot o=
f tough kids. I was lucky. We worked really, really hard and that is what I=
am most proud of. We all teach the same moves and some of the kids have na=
tural ability. There is something else in winning, the intangibles. It is h=
ard work, being disciplained and doing extra things.

Posted by
Barry Sankey