Rocky Creazzo

Rocky Creazzo ’73

Career Record: 58-5-1, 3x D11 Champ, 3x Regional Champ, 3x Medalist, State Champ

Tournament Championships: 2x Easton Invitational

1973 (Sr.): 17-4-1; District Champ, Regional Champ, State Fourth

1972 (Jr.): 18-1; District Champ, Regional Champ, State Semifinals

1971 (So.): 23-0; District Champ, Regional Champ, State Champ

Rocky Creazzo became the first Easton sophomore to win a state championship (or make a state final) and was part of one of the most incredible runs of opening weight wrestlers ever (Weaver-Creazzo-Shoemaker-Callie-Weaver did not lose a dual meet at 98 pounds from 1970 to 1977).

Creazzo opened his career with a win over 3x PCIA and one time PIAA state champ Pat Sculley (Bethlehem Catholic) in a 13-3 thrashing in the 1970-71 season opener. Creazzo won an Easton Invitational title with a overtime win over state finalist Rocky Chunko (Saucon Valley). He beat future state finalist and NCAA qualifier Greg Filipos (Liberty) and New Jersey state champion Rick Thompson (Phillipsburg) in duals. He destroyed the field in the D11 tournament, with three falls and a 6-1 decision, capped by sticking Filipos in the third period. He cruised to two wins at Northeast Regionals, including an 8-2 win over Pat Smith (West Side Tech) in the final. Creazzo capped the best sophomore season in school history at states, where he won a 5-1 semifinal over Larry Harkless (Oil City), then stunned returning state champion Mickey Kenney (Greensburg- Salem) by hammering him 9-4. Kenney credited Creazzo’s “lightning speed”, which allowed the Rover sophomore to take kenney down twice, including a five point feet to back score in the second period to blow the match open.

For an encore, Creazzo came back and ripped through the 1971-72 season as well, pinning the field at the Easton Invitational and dominating the dual meet schedule, including a win over future NCAA Division III champion Mike Rosetti (Phillipsburg) in their dual with the Stateliners. He blitzed the field at both Districts and Regionals, including a 10-0 win over Smith for his second straight NOrtheast Regional title. But in the very first match of the state tournament, Creazzo had his 41 match win streak snapped by Dennis Zuk (Carlynton), in a 6-2 match. Creazzo scored the first takedown and rode out the first period. But he was turned fir three and ridden out in the second period, then cut Zuk but could not score the tying takedown, with Zuk covering him for two in the final seconds to send shockwaves through Farm Show Arena.

As a senior, Creazzo suffered his first regular season loss when he was stunningly pinned in December by Dave Schrenk (Nazareth) as the Blue Eagles tied the Red Rovers. He missed the rest of December after a back injury sustained in a car accident and missed out on a third Easton Invitational title. He came back with a vengeance to bonus his way through January, including a second period fall over PCIAA champ George Macasevich (Bethlehem Catholic). Creazzo matched Dick Finelli and Malcolm Purdy with his third D11 title and second over Rich Rike (Freedom), this time with a 6-2 win. At Northeast Regionals, he snuck by Mike Portanova (Jersey Shore), 9-8, before laying waste to Bob Watlock (Wyoming Valley West) in an 11-1 superior decision, becoming Easton’s first three-time Northeast Regional champion. The state field expanded from four to eight wrestlers in 1973, with regional runner-ups qualifying to states for the first time. Creazzo pinned Dexter Derr (Neshaminy) in the second period of their first round match up, before getting a rematch with Dennis Zuk in the state semifinals. Once again, Zuk came out on top, beating Creazzo 11-6 and denying him a trip to finals for the second straight year. Creazzo bizarrely gave up three penalty points on illegal mat returns in the second period to tie the match at 4. Once again, he got turned for 3 in the third period and could not dig out of the hole. This was also the first year awarding medals beyond the finals (a third place bout between the semifinal losers), but Creazzo forfeit the bout after his tooth was driven through his lip in the semifinal.