Wrestling Coach Jon Kanavich’s Proudest Moments

Jon Kanavich counts leading his students to self-respect and confidence as among his greatest achievements as a high school coach.

His players, including Jakai Antoine, Logan Kanavich and Brody Stanley have achieved several 700s this season thanks to their commitment and hard work in golf.

Professional Career

Kanavich has won three Bay State Conference Championships, six Sectional titles and 11 State titles during his illustrious bowling career – three Bay State Conference Titles, six Sectional wins and 11 State wins to his credit – while also earning membership into the New England Bowling Hall of Fame. Additionally he rolled multiple 700 series and even two 800 set scores during that time!

Kanavich counts his participation with Framingham at Pennsylvania’s National Collegiate Team Match Games as an experience which made a substantial impactful impression in his life. This event proved pivotal.

Dave Kanavich currently co-captains Penn State Main campus’s bowling team which competes in the Eastern Pennsylvania/Maryland Intercollegiate Bowling Conference with an average of 210. Additionally, Dave was previously an accomplished junior bowler at Stanton Lanes as well as participating in several top adult leagues throughout New England.

Achievement and Honors

Kanavich earned numerous honors both as a wrestler and coach during his long and storied career, being honored with induction into the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame and receiving the National Wrestling Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He credits much of his success to mentors such as Gordy Wrin from Framingham South’s former coaching staff who led them to state titles as well as his current coach Bob Balboni.

Kanavich serves as co-captain of Penn State’s main campus bowling team and previously competed at Stanton Lanes Junior Bowling Center as well as several adult leagues in the region.

Personal Life

Kanavich said he found greatest fulfillment in helping make wrestling an attractive school sport and seeing children develop as athletes and scholars. His pride also stemmed from seeing his children, like Gil Sa (132 pounds who competed at Stanton Lanes in high school league play and later became co-captain of Penn State’s Main Campus bowling team) make their mark in life.

Before his retirement, Kanavich served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and saw active duty during World War II, Korea and Vietnam wars, Cuban Missile Crisis as well as being a member of American Legion and Naval Retirement Association. He currently resides in Framingham with his wife Carol.