27 YEARS!

It’s hard to believe, but Coach Brian Krenzelak dedicated 27 years to coaching CM wrestling. Whether it be youth, middle, or high school. This doesn’t count his years as a CM wrestler. He dedicated his time to the community and district that he grew up in and we are better for it.

At Canon-McMillan, we are accustomed to exceptional results with wrestling. Through the years, teams under Coach Slack have not disappointed. The bulk of Slack’s time with CM was with the Jr. High team. The teams in which he assisted or head coached for at the Jr. High amassed 276 wins with only 18 losses. This record included 9 undefeated seasons. They were crowned champions of the Southwest Regional Tournament, considered one of the toughest Jr. High tournaments in the state, in 2013, 2016, and 2019. He was named the 2018 WPIAL and PIAA Jr. High Coach of the Year. He was named the Jr. High Section Coach of the Year three times. This was all before he gave us three great years as the High School head coach. Not just for boys, but also spearheading the start of the girls wrestling program. He propelled the boys program to a twenty-second WPIAL team title, the first in ten years. Before it was sanctioned by the PIAA, his mentorship of the girls pushed them to a Western Regional and Pennsylvania State Championship. When girls wrestling became a PIAA sanctioned sport, he and the girl’s team were able to back those up by repeating both accomplishments to become the first PIAA girl’s state championship team. For his efforts, he was name the 2023 WPIAL AAA HS Coach of the Year and the Section Coach of the Year.

His High School coaching record with the boys will sit at 36 - 16, while with the girls is at 16 - 1. But, his effect on the program doesn’t quite match his short time at the High School. He stewarded wrestlers within our district that would account for twelve individual state champions. As mentioned above, his time at the High School level produced a WPIAL Championship for the boys and a State Championship for the girls. But his teaching prior to the high school level helped those teams reach four other WPIAL Championships and three State Championships. He created a new outlet in the district for girls to compete. And it wasn’t just compete. It was to win.

So, while Brian has resigned to focus on his family, we should say thank you for all of your time and you will be missed.