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Area X tournament renamed in honor of Patrick Eck

By From staff reports 2 min read
PHOTO PROVIDED Members of Pat Eck’s family pose for a photograph on Sunday at Williamsport High School after the Area X tournament was officially renamed in his honor: The Pat Eck Area X Tournament Championships. Pictured are, from left, Amy Saar, John Eck, Courtney Eck, Vienna Eck, Joy Eck, Ryan Eck, Jason Eck, Charlotte Eck, Tracy Eck, Abbey Gibson, Brady Eck, Dan Gibson, Adam Eck, LeAnne Eck and Seth Eck.

Before Area X was formed in 1998, junior high and elementary wrestlers from northeastern Pennsylvania and local wrestlers had to travel to central Pennsylvania or farther to wrestle for an opportunity for a state championship.

Patrick Eck, a 1975 graduate of Jersey Shore High School, had a vision to create an opportunity for young wrestlers to represent an area close to home and compete for a state championship and in 1998, Area X was created.

Originally encompassing 15 counties, Eck successfully and proudly ran Area X as chairman. After 10 years of serving as chairman and fulfilling his goal for the area, he decided to step down to pursue other interests.

As the years passed, he beamed with pride watching Area X continue to grow.

Eck unexpectedly passed away at the end of 2018 and on Sunday, Feb. 17, his family had the honor of recognizing the tournament change its name in his honor.

Area X will now be known as the Pat Eck Area X Tournament Championships.

Eck set the standards high to run a good, honest and entertaining tournament which hundreds of wrestlers, coaches, families and spectators enjoy each year. As the torch passed through chairmen, the standards created and set by Eck continue to be in use.

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