On Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, North Penn senior Pat O’Neill was recognized for committing to continue his wrestling career at Bloomsburg University. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p573600955
Pat O’Neill – Bloomsburg University (Wrestling)
Major: Telecommunications
Final list of colleges: Bloomsburg, George Mason, Ithaca
Reasons for choosing Bloomsburg: “What drew me to the school was the coaching staff and the team were very welcoming, and I believe that the coaches will help me fulfill everything I can and make me the best wrestler possible.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in wrestling at the collegiate level? “I have always known I’ve wanted to wrestle in college. There’s not many steps following college wrestling, so it’s always been a goal, and to be able to get money to help me pay off the school debt is going to make it a lot easier.”
Favorite high school sports memory:“My favorite memory would be winning my regional semifinal match because I finally achieved my goal of going to states. It was one of the first times I’ve ever cried from being so happy.”
Coach Rob Shettsline says: “Patrick grew up going through the youth program and the middle school. He came to us as a ninth grader – about 120 pounds, real skinny and all over the place. As a ninth grader, he only had two wins and one loss on the varsity. That was it. He barely wrestled on the varsity squad. The next year he competed over the summer, went to all these tournaments and got better and better and better. His sophomore year he went 27-15, and last year as a junior, he went 36-9. He won sectionals, won districts, won regionals and placed seventh in the state, and it’s all due to his hard work and his love of the sport. One thing I do have to applaud is his parents because they took him to all the summer tournaments, all the camps week in and week out, and it shows. We expect great things out of him this year after placing seventh in the state. We know he’s ready to get another medal this year, and he has a very great fit at Bloomsburg, so congratulations to Patrick.”
About Pat:
Favorite food: Cheez-It
Favorite movie: Foxcatcher
Favorite music: Hip Hop/Rap
- Log in to post comments
