Sean Finkbeiner

The story

Sean Finkbeiner ended a 29-year wait in 1984, becoming Northampton's first State Champion since 1955. He won the PIAA title at 145 pounds and finished his senior season a perfect 35–0. He had come to Northampton that year after two state runner-up finishes for Saucon Valley.

He set the tone early, pinning Northern Lehigh's Greg Parsons at 155 to win the Christmas City Tournament and its Outstanding Wrestler award. In the postseason he edged Allen's Scott Schleicher 3–2 for the District XI title, won the Northeast Regional at Bloomsburg, and then went 4–0 at states: major decisions over Mark Nichols of Canon-McMillan (15–3) and Mario Harpel of Neshaminy (16–3), a 3–2 semifinal over Brad Lloyd of Red Lion, and a 7–2 win over Kurt Bowman of Waynesboro in the final.

He kept winning after the season. At the Easton Lions Classic he beat New Jersey State Champion Mike Barna 9–3, he won at the AAA-AA Challenge of Champions, and he was named Outstanding Wrestler at the Pittsburgh Press Classic after a 14–5 win over future Iowa State star Tim Krieger. It was Don Rohn's second season as head coach. Rohn went on to win five PIAA team titles.