Greg Doerfler has experienced a great deal of pain in the last four months recovering from a work-related accident that left him with three broken ribs, three broken bones in his back and a bruised collarbone.

But Doerfler, the head wrestling coach at Charleroi Area High School, was feeling no pain during the Powerade Christmas Tournament, which took place last week at Canon-McMillan High School.

"This was better than any pain medication the doctors could give me," said Doerfler, after watching Cougars freshman Cody Wiercioch shock the wrestling community by winning the 152-pound title. "This is the best I've felt in four months, and I have Cody to thank."

Wiercioch, unseeded in the 36-man bracket, posted six victories en route to his unexpected title. He was also voted the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler by the 43 coaches.

"I never dreamed I would win this tournament, especially as a freshman," Wiercioch said. "It's an exhilarating experience. I can't really describe it."

The impressive showing at Powerade allowed Wiercioch to keep his season and varsity career record unblemished at 12-0.

"He's like a big Christmas gift to our program," said Doerfler, who wore a back brace during the tournament. "I'm just thrilled to death."

Doerfler had high expectations for Wiercioch, but didn't expect him to be standing atop the winners platform.

"Cody won two state Junior Olympic titles, so I knew he would be good," Doerfler said. "My thought was that he would be on the podium as one of the place-winners.

"When Cody pinned his opponent in the pigtails [preliminary match], I told him to take it one step at a time. And that's just what he did. He knocked them off one at a time."

Wiercioch opened the tournament with a second-period pin of Connellsville's Mike Aumer in the preliminary round, then scored a 9-0 victory against Canon-McMillan's Colin Ryan in the round of 32. Both opponents were varsity starters last year.

Then came a pair of one-point decisions against seeded wrestlers. Wiercioch posted a 6-5 victory against West Allegheny's Aaron McKinney, the No. 6 seed, in the round of 16, then defeated Rich Eva of Christiansburg, Va., the No. 3 seed, 3-2, in the quarterfinals. Eva was a Virginia state champion last season.

In the semifinals, Wiercioch faced Burrell's Travis McKillop, a two-time PIAA qualifier and one-time place-winner who was seeded No. 2. Wiercioch walked away with a 2-0 victory.

"I had high expectations but not this high," Wiercioch said. "After the semifinals, I was pretty confident I would win the tournament."

His opponent in the title match was Pierce Harger, a senior from Cincinnati's Moeller High who placed third in the Ohio state championships last year. Harger was seeded first and had not given up a takedown in four previous bouts.

"I wasn't nervous at all, just a little excited," Wiercioch said.

After a scoreless first period against Harger, Wiercioch gave up an escape with 48 seconds left in the second period. Harger rode Wiercioch with a half-Nelson for most of the third period and nearly turned him. But Wiercioch didn't panic.

When Harger left his legs exposed, Wiercioch took advantage and scored a reversal with 12 seconds left to pull out the victory.

"I was waiting for him to let up," Wiercioch said. "I was waiting for him to make a mistake."

The jam-packed crowd at Canon-McMillan gave Wiercioch the biggest ovation of the finals.

"The place erupted when Cody won," Doerfler said. "It was an experience I will never forget."

Wiercioch is the first Charleroi wrestler since 1969 to win a Powerade title. The last was Frank Vanderveen, who won the heavyweight crown.

"I talked to [former Charleroi coach and athletic director] Lee Hall and he told me the tournament was in its infancy at the time, and the competition was much weaker because WPIAL teams were the only participants back then," Doerfler said. "He considers Cody the first true Powerade champion."

Wiercioch leaves the Powerade Tournament with high hopes.

"My goal is to place high at the state tournament," Wiercioch said. "I just have to keep working hard."

Doerfler couldn't be happier with his new star.

"The kid just amazes me," Doerfler said. "He works hard in the room, he has a great attitude and comes from great parents. He's mature beyond his years."

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