University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

                When Mr. Rob Yahner joined the Mountain Cat wrestling team in 1981, the program was just beginning to make strides.  In his four seasons on the mat, Mr. Yahner proved to be one of the cornerstones that helped turn Pitt-Johnstown wrestling into a nationally-recognized program.  Mr. Yahner ended his career as a three-time All-American and Pitt-Johnstown’s first and only four-time East Region champion.
               Born and raised on a farm just up the road from Johnstown in Patton, Mr. Yahner brought his hard-working style to the wrestling mat. 
               As a standout wrestler at Cambria Heights High School, Mr. Yahner made a name for himself by placing third at the PIAA State Championships.
               Head Coach Pat Pecora took notice and recruited Mr. Yahner to wrestle at Pitt-Johnstown.  In his first season, he helped lead the Mountain Cats to an 11-5 dual meet record, the program’s first East Region title, and a 19^th-place finish at the 1982 NAIA National Championships on his way to garnering his first All-American honor by placing eighth at nationals. 
               Prior to the 1982-83 season, Pitt-Johnstown transitioned from an NAIA program into an NCAA program where the team placed 19^th at the national tournament and completed its sixth consecutive winning season with a 10-3 dual meet mark.  In the process, Mr. Yahner claimed his second regional title and advanced to the national tournament.
               Mr. Yahner took the next step in his outstanding Mountain Cat career as a junior in 1983-84 when he won his third straight East Regional Championship and became an NCAA All-American with a fourth-place finish at 150 lbs.
               Pitt-Johnstown wrestling continued to grow in Mr. Yahner’s senior season in 1984-85.  The Mountain Cats set a school record for wins with 15 and secured its third Top-20 national finish in as many years.  That season, Mr. Yahner wrapped-up his career with his fourth regional title and a third-place finish at the national tournament to mark the third time he earned a spot on the podium.
               At the end of his four years at Pitt-Johnstown, Mr. Yahner helped lead the Mountain Cats to a 45-17 overall dual meet record and four Top-20 national finishes.  In addition, he still ranks in the Top-11 on Pitt-Johnstown’s All-time Wins List and All-Time Winning Percentage List.  Mr. Yahner’s 120 victories rank him seventh on the all-time wins list, while his 124-24-1 overall record and .828 winning percentage is 11^th on the Mountain Cat all-time list, just behind his brother Dave Yahner’s .831 winning percentage.
               After graduating from Pitt-Johnstown in 1985 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mr. Yahner went right back into the family business of farming.  Today, Mr. Yahner owns and operates Rob Yahner Farms in Nicktown, where his grows corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and straw.
               Mr. Yahner and his wife Mary have five children, Reba, Gus, Kate, Mara, and John.
               “I absolutely attribute my success at Pitt-Johnstown to the friendship and coaching I received from Pat Pecora,” Mr. Yahner said.  “I am most honored to enter the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame the same time as him.”