North Penn High School’s athletic teams are no stranger to greatness and milestones, but 500 wins, no matter the sport, is certainly something to celebrate.  On Saturday, January 19th, the North Penn Wrestling team defeated Waynesboro, 44-21. However, it was no ordinary victory — it was the program’s 500th victory. 

Coach Rob Shettsline summed up the significance of the landmark win in just a few words.

“Five-hundred wins is certainly a lot of wins,” said Shettsline.

With just two winning seasons in the last 11 years, this milestone certainly gives the Knights something to brag about. However, despite the team’s recent woes, senior wrestler Joey O’Brien was thrilled to be a part of this year’s team.

“It feels special because we were the ones who actually had to fight for the 500th win. We helped North Penn achieve a great accomplishment,” said O’Brien.

After picking up the 499th win against Central Bucks East on January 10th, the Knights were embarrassed by Quakertown, 51-18, in their first attempt at 500 six days later.

“We knew it was gonna be a real tough night,” said Shettsline, “so we weren’t even really looking towards 500. Sure you can always hope that you wrestle well and that they don’t, well that night we didn’t wrestle well.”

The Knights’ next match against Waynesboro would prove to be the end of the wait for number five-hundred. While reflecting on the events that occurred after the match, O’Brien was nothing but smiles, and couldn’t help but shift the attention towards his coach.

“He said he was proud of us, but we as a team were more proud of him because a great deal of those wins are because of him. He has put in so much work toward the team and it payed off,” said O’Brien.

Shettsline, on the other hand, wasn’t as quick to make it all about him.

“It’s not just about the wins; it’s about the people you meet, the wrestlers, and how much effort those wrestlers put into the sport, because I really do believe it’s one of the toughest sports,” said Shettsline.

Over a timeframe of 57 years, the North Penn wrestling team has had just four different coaches. Ed Klavon was the team’s first head coach, and it remained that way for a good 37 years. Klavon led the Knights to two undefeated seasons (1984-85, 1986-87). Jim Heimer, who took over for Klavon, was there for just two seasons before handing the job over to Shettsline in 1992. Shettsline left after two seasons, as well, only to return two years later — and he still hasn’t left.

Shettsline was a four-year member of the team during his time as a student at North Penn (1978-1981). He then became an assistant coach in 1986. During his time as an assistant, Shettsline witnessed the program’s 300th win. He was the head coach for the 400th, and missed the 200th by just 5 wins as a student. 

Shettsline has certainly witnessed his share of milestones, and, having been involved in the sport at the high school level for more than 30 years — and counting — Shettsline has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that greatly impacts his wrestlers.

“Wrestling for ‘Shetts’ is awesome. He is the most unique person ever and has so much knowledge about wrestling because, after all, he is 250 years old,” O’Brien said with a chuckle. “But all kidding aside, he’s a great coach and I’m so proud to be apart of his team.”

Perhaps Shettsline will still be there for the next milestone, as well: 600 wins.

“I would think so,” said Shettsline with a slight grin poking through. “That’s probably another ten years or more; I think I have another ten years in me.”