Franklin Regional honors state‑champion wrestling team at March 23 board meeting

The Franklin Regional Board of School Directors recognized the high‑school wrestling team’s PIAA state championship during its March 23 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Pano opened the presentation by saying the district brings athletic teams to the board only after winning a state title and welcomed the coaches and athletes. Athletic director Mr. Kesler called the 2025–26 squad ``the most true team championship I’ve ever seen’’ and noted the team went undefeated at 22–0, won section and WPIAL titles and finished as PIAA state champions.

Head coach Matt Leby thanked the board, coaches and families and said the season was ``a team effort’’ that required community support. Mr. Kesler and the board recognized assistant coach Greg Sill (noted in the presentation as a WPIL/PIA assistant coach of the year) and the head coach for coach‑of‑the‑year honors presented by PIAA, as described by the presenters.

Board members and the superintendent invited the team captains and members to the microphones so each wrestler could state his name and weight class. Students introduced themselves in turn; those who spoke included Roman Valero (135), Nick Ellie (152), Kelly Marriott (127), Chase Smith (139), Titus Galangelo (121) and others the athletic director asked the board to applaud.

Why it matters: The board used the public meeting to formally recognize student achievement and to highlight the district’s athletic program, coaches and families. The presentation also doubled as a public thank‑you to the staff who support extracurricular programs.

The board moved on after the recognition to the superintendent’s formal report and the rest of the meeting’s agenda.