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LaBuz epitomizes a ‘true champion’

As the father of one of Pat’s fellow teammates, I feel particularly compelled to share the following story about this great young man.

Early Saturday morning, I sat next to Pat’s father at the Giant Center in Hershey anticipating the upcoming PIAA States wrestling match with Pat and his opponent Marshall Peppleman-an already two time Pennsylvania state champion.

Earlier that same morning, at about 5:30 a.m., I awoke my son, Chad, to get ready so that we could begin our trip to the Giant Center so that we could arrive in time to see the matches. along the way, my son and I stopped for a coffee where we unexpectedly ran into Mr. LaBuz. I said, “I guess you didn’t sleep at all last night”. “No, I didn’t” he said, and he continued to tell me that he had spoke to Pat previously and he had asked him to bring his knee brace along with him to Hershey.

None of us could have anticipated what we would hear next. When we got to the Giant Center at 7:30 that morning, we each wished Pat good luck and shook his hand before he disappeared to warm up for the day ahead.

About a half hour later, Coach (Kavin) Rentschler came up to us and broke the news that because of Pat’s knee he would be unable to wrestle. the trainers had just evaluated his knee and decided it was in his best interest not to wrestle.

With tears in my eyes, I looked at Pat’s dad and couldn’t even begin to find words to comfort him. I felt like there was a 1-ton ball on my chest. I cannot even begin to imagine how Mr. LaBuz was feeling. Again, as this is a tribute to Pat and his family I would like to point out that Pat came up in the bleachers where the rest of our Hazleton Area wrestling following was sitting. He sat next to his Dad, put his arm around him and spoke to him in a very comforting way. I saw Mr. LaBuz smile at his son, as I’m sure he told him he was still very proud of him and what he had accomplished up to this point.

Soon thereafter, Pat watched his fellow teammate and friend Jared Kay wrestle back and win several matches. Pat was cheering him on the entire time. In my eyes, this is a sign of a true champion as well as an unbelievable team leader. I myself have played and coached from the sidelines for many different sporting events and I truly have never seen a young man lead with such an example as Pat Labuz has this year.

My son has mentioned numerous times what a phenomenal work ethic Pat has. This is obvious to any athlete that has participated with Pat. they know that if they want to get better, they need to strive to work like Pat does. my son is currently a sophomore and had the honor of working out with Pat this year. Pat’s drive and determination shows in all that he does. for example, he would come to our home at 5:30 a.m. to pick up my son so that they could lift weights before school. How many seniors would do this for a sophomore? my son would talk highly of Pat, saying, “Even when we’re all dead tired working out, Pat will just keep on going.”.

With all of this being said, I would just like to publically say a few words to Pat. Although you were not able to compete from the semi-finals on because of your injury, myself and I’m sure your coaches and other followers would like to say that you are a true champion not just on the wrestling mat but you are a champions in everyone’s heart that you have touched.

I have hopes that what you have brought to the Hazleton Area wrestling team will continue to live on there even after you graduate. I hope that the teammates that you have inspired will take that inspiration and give it back, sharing it with other younger and less experienced wrestlers to come in order to bring the best out them. So Pat LaBuz, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving all of the wrestling fans out there an unforgettable look a what it is to be a true leader and champion.

LaBuz epitomizes a ‘true champion’


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