WARKWORTH -- It was a double reunion for four

former members of the Percy Centennial Public School

wrestling team.
While the four were actually taking part in a Camp-
bellford District High School graduaton reunion at the
Warkworth Legion last weekend, it was quickly noted
that it marked the frst tme in over 30 years that the
members of the famed 1975 PCPS Grade 8 wrestling
team were back together.
Dwayne (Dewy) Brenton, Theodore (Teddy) Don-
aldson, Neil (Kermit) Allanson and Jamie (The Brain)
Thain upstaged the CDHS
reunion as several friends and
former students rushed to
greet them, shake their hand
and have photos (or selfes)
taken with the famed grap-
plers.
The last tme the four mem-
bers were together was in
1984, when they were induct-
ed into the PCPS Sports Hall of Fame.
The wrestling achievements of the Fearsome Four
are a part of PCPS athletc lore. In 1975, the team,
coached by Grade 7 teacher Ronald Raine, set a school
record with 9 tournament wins. What makes the record
even more impressive is the fact that this was a prover-
bial rags-to-riches story.
Indeed, not much was expected from the team when
it gathered for its frst practce. Even Mr. Raine, an over-
the-top tough and demanding coach with a very short
fuse, seemed doubtul about the teams chances for success against
some of the top-rated teams.
Oh shit its gonna be a long friggin season, Mr. Raine told the
boys afer their frst practce (which didnt go partcularly well).
But coach Raines incessant rantng seemed to inspire the young
wrestlers. Of course, it also helped that Mr. Donaldson stepped up and
emerged as the teams star. His sheer athletcism and determinaton
were big reasons he went on to win a team-leading 45 matches, which
earned him the PCPS male athlete-the-year
award.
Mr. Allanson, with his cat-like refexes, also
enjoyed a stellar year on the mats, registering 33
victories. Meanwhile, Mr. Brenton and Mr. Thain
used their unique wrestling styles to bafe and
defeat many unsuspectng opponents, who were
clearly more skilled and experienced.
According to coach Raine, Mr. Brenton was
all arms and legs and had deceiving strength
for someone who weighed 110 pounds. As for
the heavier Mr. Thain, he may not have been
the most athletcally-gifed wrestler, but he more than made up for it
with his vast intellect and a calm, patent approach. Most of Mr.
Thains wins were the result of simply out-smartng and out-waitng
more skilled opponents untl they got fatgued, and then he would
quickly counter-atack.
Looking to win big at the Ontario Federaton of School Athletc Asso-
ciatons (OFSAA) Wrestling Championship, the teams good fortune
quickly ended. Mr. Donaldson pulled his groin in his frst match and
had to bow out. This seemed to unsetle the rest of the team because
they didnt manage a single win afer that.
Unfortunately, the feel-good story ended there. Upon graduatng
from PCPS, the four lads never contnued their wrestling careers at
Campbellford District High School as other interests got in the way.
They quickly discovered that chasing and datng girls was a heck of a
lot more fun than wrestling sweaty boys on dirty gym mats. In fact, Mr.
Donaldson, Mr. Brenton and Mr. Allanson soon married their high
school sweethearts, while Mr. Thain followed his passion for comput-
ers and technology and eventually accepted a job as a sofware engi-
neer for Hewlet-Packard in California. Today, Mr. Thain is vice-
president of the sofware division for tech giant Apple in Cupertno,
CA.
Mr. Donaldson currently works for the City of Bramptons Parks and
Recreaton Department. Mr. Allanson is manager of the Roads Depart-
ment for the Municipality of Trent Hills, while Mr. Brenton is a bus
driver for C. Smith Bus Lines and assistant manager at Warkworth
Farm Supply.
All four men -- now in their 50s -- are in remarkable physical condi-
ton and look as though they could resume their wrestling careers
today.
To hell with that, Mr. Allanson said with a laugh. Ive had a cushy
job the last 15 years, just sitn behind a desk. Believe me, Im in no
damn shape to be wrestling!
Percy Centennial Public School wrestling team
reunites for the first time in over 30 years
One of PCPSs most successful wrestling teams was reunited last weekend at a special gather-
ing at the Warkworth Legion. Pictured from left to right are members Dwayne (Dewy) Brenton,
Theodore (Teddy) Donaldson, Neil (Kermit) Allanson and Jamie (The Brain) Thain.
(Photo courtesy of Laurie Snarr-Brenton)
COACH RAINE