From 1968-1992, Paul Pcsolinski coached and thrived in the roughest neighborhood ever in Virginia wrestling. 

Wrestling programs from the Eastern Region, in the 58 seasons between 1949 and 2006, won all but five big-school state championships, with Granby dominating early and Great Bridge taking over late.

These two excelled because they were pushed by regional rivals who could knock them off every so often—schools such as Cox, Western Branch, Maury, Kempsville, Bethel, Deep Creek, Norview... and Menchville, the 1976 state champion team, coached by Paul Pcsolinski.

Like many Virginia Hall-of-Famers, Paul hails from Pennsylvania. Raised in Burgettstown, near Pittsburgh, he was a multi-sport athlete at Burgettstown Jr./Sr. High School, but small size and a big work ethic steered him toward wrestling at the University of Findlay (Ohio).

After earning a BS in Physical Education, he headed south and east to Newport News, beginning his career with stops at Warwick and Denbigh high schools, before landing permanently at Menchville.

He proceeded to lead the Monarchs to 23 Peninsula District titles as well as the regional and state championships in the glory year of ‘76, piling up 319 wins against 45 losses.

He promoted his region as a founder and director of the Newport News Christmas Tournament and was an inaugural participant in the Virginia VA Duals High School Division Tournament. (His team won it.)

Coach Pcsolinski was never shy about seeking out the toughest competition, going up against rivals like Cox, Kempsville, and Great Bridge, after which he pioneered travel outside of Virginia, looking for elite opponents to test his teams.

Typical of his hunger for challenge was an early-80s match against Bethlehem Catholic as a preliminary for a big dual meet between Iowa and Lehigh.

The result of this striving was perennial excellence: his teams collected eight top-five state finishes, winning nine individual state titles, seven runner-up places, and seven selections for High School All-American.

All told, he had 93 wrestlers compete at the collegiate level.

Recognition naturally followed: he was VHSL Coach of the Year in 1976, ’77, and ’91 and won lofty renown as National Coach of the Year in 1976.

He is also a champion at home: devoted husband to Dona for 53 years, and proud father of son P.J. (age 50) and daughter Barette (age 45).