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Former Atascadero wrestling coach Dan Pry inducted into CIF Southern Section Hall of Fame

Posted at 12:17 AM, Oct 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-18 03:26:23-04

Long-time Atascadero High School wrestling coach Dan Pry was inducted into the CIF Southern Section Hall of Fame Wednesday.

Pry been coaching for more than four decades but his 12 years as head coach for the Greyhounds earned himself a spot in this year’s CIF Hall of Fame class.

Pry took over the program in 1984 and led the Greyhounds to its first-ever CIF championship. He’d go on to win for four straight years and again in 1989 and 1995.

Pry coached 16 individual CIF Champions and 55 individual CIF Place Winners. He was also nationally recognized by “Gatorade Coaches Care” as one of the top 10 high school wrestling programs in the United States.

He also taught for 32 years and coached other various sports including freshman football, J.V. girls and boys tennis, and served as an assistant wrestling coach after he retired as head coach.

“It’s a pretty elite company, a pretty elite company (CIF Hall of Fame). I’d never figured or expected to be there. But I’m there because I was recognized by my local community. Atascadero is a phenomenal community to be head wrestling coach,” Pry said. “The comments they’re making are more meaningful actually than the award. It’s been really neat.”

Pry also said his success came from the support of his wife, Sandy. She was very involved with the team and spent hundreds of hours driving the team to its competitions and meets.