Maynard Aungst (Photo/pawrsl.com)Born in Lock Haven, Pa. on June 7, 1940, Maynard Luther Aungst was a three-time PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) finalist as a wrestler at Lock Haven High School. He was a two-time state champ, winning the 95-pound title in 1956, and the 103-pound crown in 1957. In addition, Aungst was three-time District 6 Champion and three time Central NW Regional Champion.
After graduating from Lock Haven High in 1958, Aungst wrestled for one year at Bloomsburg University, posting a 16-2 record. His only losses came at the hands of eventual three-time NCAA champ Gray Simons of Lock Haven University. Aungst went on to compete for the Lock Haven YMCA, winning seven state and two national YMCA titles. He was named the state's Outstanding Wrestler five times and was named the National YMCA Outstanding Wrestler in 1960.
Once Aungst's competitive career was over, he continued his involvement with wrestling, serving as a coach in Savona, Campbell and Hammondsport, N.Y.
Tom Elling, former Lock Haven wrestler and author of the annual "Pennsylvania Wrestling Handbook", shared with InterMat a couple stories about Aungst.
The first is a story that Aungst shared with Elling about Arthur "Bucky" Maughan, Pennsylvania high school wrestler who later became a NCAA champ for Morehead State University then long-time head coach at North Dakota State University until his retirement in 2011.
"After (Aungst) had defeated Bucky Maughan in 1957, Bucky asked him how he set up his fireman's carry. Maynard willingly showed him.
"The next year they met in the state semis and Maughan had figured a way to stop the 'carry'..."
"He didn't say this, but I'd bet he'd do it all over again. That was just the kind of guy Maynard Aungst was."
The second story involves current Penn State coach, 2004 Olympic gold medalist, and four-time NCAA champ for Iowa State, Cael Sanderson.
"(Aungst) told me one of his prized possessions was a photo I took of him with Cael Sanderson at one of our wrestling breakfasts. He had hoped to get it autographed this coming spring. That will never happen now, but I am sure Coach Sanderson will smile knowing how much another great wrestler thought of him."
Aungst was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and the West Branch Valley Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year.
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