Tioga County Sports ReportOWEGO — The Section Four Wrestling Officials Association recognized Art Rider with the Heritage Award recently for his "outstanding service and dedication to the sport of wrestling in Section Four.”
Rider wrestled for Owego Free Academy in the 1960s, graduating in 1967, then continued his career at Cortland State University.
He returned to Owego following college in 1971 and taught at Apalachin Middle School for 35 years. He also took over the high school wrestling program in 1972 and served as the head coach until 1998 and was the modified coach for 15 years starting in the 1990s until 2008.
In addition to coaching, he was also a referee for numerous years and he has spent the past several years as a scorekeeper at the River Hawks’ home wrestling events.
Rider’s longevity with the sport can be credited to the fact that he has always enjoyed working with young athletes. His involvement with the sport has also created numerous friendships during an era which has spanned six decades.
