Waynesburg University Sports Information Office
One of the greatest athletes in Waynesburg University history will be immortalized in one of the most prestigious ways possible. After spending two years as an undefeated wrestler at Waynesburg in the middle of the 20th century, Tony Gizoni will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Prior to coming to Waynesburg, Gizoni wrestled at Washington (Pennsylvania) High School, where he became the fourth wrestler in Pennsylvania history to win three state championships, capturing the title at 101 pounds in 1946, at 103 pounds in 1947 and at 112 pounds in 1948.

He won back-to-back NCAA championships for then-Waynesburg College, being voted Outstanding Wrestler after winning at 121 pounds in 1950 and defeating Bill Borders from the University of Oklahoma in 1951. He was ineligible to compete in the NCAA tournament as a freshman and was declared ineligible as a senior due to competing in dual meets and tournaments that were not approved by the NCAA Rules Committee.

Gizoni finished his college career with a 52-0 record. His overall mark for high school and college was an impressive 120-3-1 with the three losses and the tie occurring in his freshman year of high school. Gizoni did not lose during his final three years of high school and four years of college, winning 108 consecutive matches.

Following his competitive days on the mat, Gizoni served in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star in 1956. Gizoni is also a member of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Washington-Greene and the Helms Foundation Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Ironically, current Yellow Jacket head coach Ron Headlee has strong ties to another selection: undefeated high school superstar, NCAA Division I champion and U.S. Olympian, Cary Kolat. Headlee coached Kolat during his time at nearby Jefferson-Morgan High School from 1989-92.