North Penn-Liberty Coach Craig Pequignot, a teacher in Troy, has made a special connection with Troy student Cameron ‘Bear’ Allen.

“Everyday I greet Bear on my morning crossing duty as his Dad drops him off to school," Peguinot says, “Our morning routine consists of flexing, fist pumping and getting pumped up for the day!”

The two’s daily interactions led to Pequignot taking an idea from fellow teacher and Troy basketball Coach Bob Woodward and asking Bear and his parents, Joby and Terri Allen, if Bear could attend the Liberty/Troy match so that he could meet Pequignot’s family.

“This was all started by my best friend Bob Woodward,” Peguignot says, and I thought it would be great if Bear could sit on the bench with us .. but I didn’t think he should sit with the visiting team! Then I asked if he would want to wrestle someone from our team, and when he said yes, that's when I reached out to Troy assistant coach Garrett Wesneski (a fellow Troy teacher) to help.” 

The two arranged an exhibition match for Bear, against Liberty junior high wrestler Bridger Lehman, whose Dad Kevin coaches with Pequinot and Mom Melissa teaches in the Troy School District. 

Bear and Bridger’s match, with Bear earning a hard-fought fall over his new buddy Lehman .. an exceptional young man in his own right .. can be watched HERE .. courtesy of the Allen’s Facebook post following the special evening. 

“Huge shout-out to Craig Pequignot and North Penn-Liberty wrestling and Garrett Wesneski and the Troy wrestling program for letting  Cameron (Bear) wrestle last night. He had such a good time and I can’t thank you both enough!! He’s still talking about it this morning and is wearing a muscle shirt to flex extra hard today!! Thanks again to both of you for including him last night. Class act to you both and everyone involved! Much Love, the Allen family.”

Pequignot is thankful to be in the position he is, both as a teacher in Troy and a coach in Liberty, and realizes the benefits those positions afford him to make a difference in BOTH communities. 

“I teach at Troy and coach for North Penn-Liberty,” says Pequignot, “which can be hectic .. but awesome at the same time. I get to impact more kids lives.. Everyday it reminds me how grateful I am and how important my job is.”

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