AARON GATTEN

Arguably one of the top pure athletes ever to come from Washington High School. This gifted athlete combined speed, strength and agility to letter in (3)sports,(4)years in football, wrestling and track.

In 1995 and 1996, he won (2) PIAA Wrestling State Titles at 189 lb., (2 ) WPIAL and (2) Regional titles. He accumulated a record of 118 wins and 13 losses. At that time it was the most career wins at Wash High. In 1995 he won the PIAA individual championships for the 100 and 200 meter sprints and was the PIAA silver medalist for the 100 and 200 meter sprints in 1996.

In football he rushed for 3245 yards and 46 touchdowns during his career at Wash High. He was named 3rd. Team All State as sophomore and 1st. Team All- State his junior and senior years. Played in the 1996 Big 33 Classic.

Overall, Aaron collected over 15 WPIAL Titles (Individual and Team), (4) PIAA Gold Medals and (3) PIAA Silver Medals. Aaron accepted an athletic scholarship to play football at Penn State University, where he lettered (4) years.

During Aaron’s senior year at Penn State. he received the Ridge Riley Award honoring him as the “Outstanding Senior Member of the Team” who displayed sportsmanship, leadership, scholarship and friendship.

Gatten’s talents and humbleness prompted Rob Rossi of the Associated Press to write,.. he is the closest thing to Deion Sanders, minus the attitude….

Gatten was selected the 1996 Pittsburgh Post Gazette Fabulous 22 team and was also selected the paper’s “Athlete of the Year”. Selected as a Wrestling USA, All-American, Shutt All-American Wrestling Team, Blue Chip Illustrated All-American Football Team and Tom Lemming Prep Football Report All-American. An Academic All-Big Ten Choice and a 2001 free agent with the NFL Miami Dolphins.