Panerio to be inducted into Hall of Fame
<center><b>Chuck Panerio</b></center>
EPHRATA — Former Ephrata High School wrestling coach Chuck Panerio’s hard work and effort during his career has now been immortalized for all to see.
Panerio was notified last month that he had earned a place in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okl., for his effort of promoting the sport throughout the state.
“I am overwhelmed and excited about this whole thing,” Panerio said. “They called me up in December and told me I was nominated by the state chapter. I didn’t hear until the end of February and thought I didn’t make it but when I found out about it I was very excited.”
Panerio, 72 has not coached in Ephrata in over 30 years but was still nominated for the honor by the Washington chapter for the Hall of Fame. He will receive his honor when the state holds the organization’s Class of 2010 Hall of Fame induction celebration in Spokane Valley on June 12.
Panerio taught for the Ephrata School District for 30 years — 24 years as a high school P.E. teacher, followed by six years teaching fifth-graders at Columbia Ridge Elementary.
From 1963 to 1977 Panerio was the Tigers’ wrestling coach and compiled a dual-meet mark of 184-53-3.
His teams recorded 10 conference title, two sub-regional and regional champions, and five of his squads ended their season in the top 10 of state.
In addition to his team’s accomplishments he had 37 of his athletes qualify for the state finals and saw 10 of his wrestlers move on to the collegiate level.
But he stopped coaching at a young age in order to be with his family.
“I had three kids of my own and they were starting to play ball and I wanted to be there with them,” Panerio said. “You know the life of a coach so I wanted to be home and be able to watch them play.”
Panerio was selected as Washington State Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1972-73, and was inducted in the Washington State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985.
“To be successful you need to have good athletes and we had great athletes,” Panerio said. “I was very fortunate.”