Kyle Rusnock has been hired as the new head wrestling coach at Catasauqua High School.

Rusnock, the 1992 PIAA 2A state wrestling champion at 112, replaces longtime coach Mike Conner, who resigned in March after leading the Rough Rider wrestling program for 22 years. Rusnock was approved at Monday evening's Catasauqua Area School District Board Meeting.

Rusnock has been an assistant coach at Catty for 10 years, eight years at other schools in PA and Ohio. As an assistant coach, he's coached three state champions, 11 state place winners and 22 state qualifiers. He's a graduate of Catty and the University of Toledo and also has a state fifth place medal (1991) and a fourth place medal (1990).

He's currently an eighth grade teacher at Catasauqua Middle School and resides in Northampton with his wife and two sons.

"The CHS administration could not be happier with our selection of Kyle as our next head wrestling coach," said Director of Student Activities Tom Moll. "He is the perfect person to continue the tradition of success that we have had with our wrestling program. The future of wrestling is bright at CHS and Kyle is anxious and ready to lead our program.

"But with every new beginning comes an end. I will miss working with Mike Conner. Mike cared deeply for the wrestlers and wanted them to succeed more than anyone else. He has given a lot to this program and school district over his 22-year head coaching career. There never was a dull moment with Mike. He had the ability to always put a smile on my face, for whatever the reason, good or bad. He will be missed."

Connor was the head coach from 1985-97 and again from 2004-14. He won his 250th career match on Dec. 21, 2013, at the Berwick Duals. He was the coach of the 1990 and 1991 District 11 2A champs at Catty and was the coach when Rusnock won his state title in 1992.

Look for more on Rusnock in an upcoming issue of the Press.