MANUEL M. PIHAKIS

Manuel M. Pihakis of Canonsburg was an outstanding scholastic and collegiate wrestler at Canonsburg High School and Indiana
He was a four-time WPIAL champion in high school and three-time PIAA champion. His record of 93 consecutive scholastic victories has not been equaled in the state of Pennsylvania and he finished high school with a 99-1-1 record.

He finished second in the Big 10 championships at Indiana and was a national AAU charnpion in Ohio,Pennsylvania and Indiana. His collegiate record was 56-8-0. He participated in final Olympic Tryouts in 1952 and 1956.

Pihakis, an employee of the Canon-McMillan School District for the past 30 years, now serves as director of athletics and activities.

He was inducted into the Pittsburgh Sports Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1979.

He graduated from Canonsburg High in 1952 and Indiana University in 1956.

He was a wrestling official for 25 years and served as a member of the WPIAL Steering Committee. He was a host for the Polish National wrestling team in 1975 and has assisted many student athletes in receiving athletic scholarships.

Pihakis, who holds degrees in health and physical education and administration, has served as a member of the Canonsburg Borough Council and Planning Commission.