Saucon's O'Donnell Crowned PIAA District XI AA Champion

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Ray O'Donnell pinned Northwestern's David Tirpak in 1:46 to win the 195-pound Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) District XI championship and record his 100th career dual win. 

On his way to the finals O'Donnell also pinned:

• Lehighton's James Scott in 0:13
• Pine Grove's Trevor Bender in 0:12
• North Schuylkill's Matthew Mauer in 0:24

In addition to the 195 title, Ray also received the PIAA District XI AA 2012 Outstanding Wrestler Award and the Pinner Award, as he scored all his wins with pins (and in just 2:35).

Other highlights from the championships were the Panthers' third-place finish in the standings, with 154 points; and assistant coach Don Rohn's winning of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Ray began wrestling as a first-grader. Last July he traveled to the Greco-Roman Freestyle Tournament in Fargo, South Dakota, where he was 29-1 at 171 pounds and helped the Pennsylvania team to its first place finish in what was a national competition. 

As a ninth-grader Ray also played baseball and soccer. He now limits his involvement in sporting activities to soccer and wrestling.

Ray is a member of the National Honor Society and Model UN, and he also serves as the Junior Class vice president and as vice president of the Future Business Leaders of Amercia.

His favorite subject is biology, and when he is not involved with wrestling-related activities he likes to be with friends. Chic-Fil-A is his favorite place to eat. 

O'Donnell has two younger brothers, Connor and Brenden, and a younger sister, Brigette. He is the son of Ray and Elizabeth O'Donnell.