Franklin Regional’s Juliano Marion wins consecutive tournaments; Coach to be inducted into HOF

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Franklin Regional senior Juliano Marion didn’t let a loss to Ringgold senior Jake Conroy get him down earlier this month.

Instead, it inspired him to work harder and get better.

Marion spent the past two weekends winning tournaments — Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association and Mid-Winter Mayhem.

“It’s pretty impressive to win that tournament (Mid-Winter Mayhem) for a second time,” Marion said. “My brackets may not have been loaded like other brackets were, but I thought I did very well. It was impressive to win back-to-back titles.”

Marion said winning his third county title felt a little better.

“It’s a personal thing because you get bragging rights within the county and the schools that are close by,” Marion said.

Marion (25-5) helped the Panthers defeat Norwin and clinch the Section 3-3A title Jan. 17 by pinning Norwin’s Billy Petko.

The 215-pound weight class is getting stronger with Conroy and Canon-McMillan senior Geno Calgaro, who handed Conroy his only loss.

“I still think I’m the top dog in the weight class,” Marion said. “I’m confident that come the postseason I’ll prove that.

“My mentality has improved. Last year, I put a lot of pressure on myself on expectations that other people were putting on me that I had to meet. I’m wrestling more freely and knowing that I am who I am and I wrestle the best I can.”

Marion said after the final section match against Thomas Jefferson on Jan. 24, the team will start focusing on the postseason.

Marion (114-31) placed third in the WPIAL in 2023 and fourth in 2022. He placed sixth in the state in 2022.

He planned to announce his college future on Jan. 21.

Lebe to be honored

Franklin Regional wrestling coach Matt Lebe will be inducted into the Southwest Pa. Wrestling Hall of Fame on March 30 during the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic at Peters Township High School.

Lebe is a 2001 Jeannette High School graduate.

He won three WPIAL Class 2A titles, three PIAA Southwest Region titles and a PIAA title in 2001. He also placed third as a sophomore and second as a junior. He placed second in the WPIAL as a freshman.

Lebe went on to wrestle at West Virginia where he was a four-time NCAA Division I qualifier.

“I appreciate the staff that selected me,” Lebe said. “Anytime you get recognized for things you did years ago, so I appreciate the committee, my parents, my coaches and people that supported me. Now I get to share this and reflect on what I felt made me who I was — my wrestling career in high school and college. It’s humbling.”

Lebe joins Larry Hall as the other Jeannette wrestler in the Hall of Fame. Lebe said he sees others being inducted in the future, including Greg Hall, Bumpy Hall, A.J. Graves and Michael DePalma.

Lebe has been coaching Franklin Regional since 2016.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional