Frederick “Fritz” Bleich

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Frederick “Fritz” Bleich of Hanover Township wanted to excel in as many sports as possible.  At some point he narrowed his choices to football (linebacker, running back) and wrestling, competing for Hanover High School.

Fritz wrestled for the legendary Coach John F. Carr in High School and immediately flourished under the guidance of his Hall of Fame Coach.

In 1974 wrestling at the weight class of 138 pounds, the young sophomore captured the District II Wrestling Title.  The following week, the Northeast Regional Title was won giving Fritz a high seeding at the PIAA State Wrestling Championship.  At “States”, Fritz competed well and wrestled his way to the state finals where he fell by a 3-2 score losing on a penalty.  Later that year Fritz received his first Hooper Award (symbolic for the Wyoming Valley Conference’s highest state placer).

In 1975 wrestling at the weight class of 155 pounds, Fritz was a proud member of the Hanover undefeated Wyoming Valley Conference Champions.  In the post season, Fritz once again captured the District II Title.  Moving on to the Northeast Regional where he garnered a second-place finish and was once again headed off to the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Championships at Penn State’s famous Rec Hall.  Fritz wrestled well but once again fell in the state finals and finished in second place.  With the post season complete, Fritz was selected to receive his second Hooper Award (In honor and memory of George Hooper, USMC).  It was during the summer of 1975 he also began competing in freestyle which was well suited for Fritz’s aggressive style.

During his senior year’s football season, Fritz severely injured his right knee tearing both his ACL and meniscus.  A decision by his inner circle was made to bypass the surgery so he may compete in his final year of wrestling. Fritz again won his District II Title and the Northeast Regional Title.  He was once again headed to Penn State’s Rec Hall to vie for the Pennsylvania Wrestling Title at 167 pounds.  With the third time being the charm, Fritz was able to secure his illusive State Wrestling Title from America’s Top Wrestling State.

Finally, in 1976 Fritz was once again selected as the recipient of the Hooper Award.  This would make Fritz the Wyoming Valley Conference’s first ever three-time Hooper Award Recipient.  In 1976 Fritz received an athletic scholarship to National Wrestling Powerhouse Clarion State University.

Fritz eventually shifted his love for the sport to coaching ranks where he had two separate coaching stints at Hanover Area High School.  The first stint being the assistant to his long-time mentor Coach John F. Carr.

Fritz currently can be seen keeping his hand in the sport he loves at the Mat Assassins Youth Wrestling Club. Mat Assassins is the #1 ranked Wrestling Club in America and the training facility of his grandson Bradey Bleich.  Although only nine years old, Bradey is already a two-time National Wrestling Champion.