Clarion Athletics

A 4-year letterwinner and starter on the football team, Pete Caristo had an outstanding career as a halfback, linebacker, punter and return specialist from 1951-54. A part of the 1952 team that went 9-0 and defeated East Carolina in the "Lions Bowl" 13-6, he scored 9 td's in 1953, including 3 interception returns for td's. He posted 6 td's in 1954, including a 95-yard kickoff return for a td versus Edinboro. Clarion posted a 24-6-1 record in those four seasons. Captain of the 1954 squad, he was named to the All-Time Clarion team, was a first team All-District and All State Teachers College choice in 1954, and a second team All-District selection in 1953. He also earned 3 baseball letters and was player/coach in 1955. He also had a Cleveland Browns Pro Football tryout in 1955. After graduating in 1955 with a Social Studies degree, he began teaching and coaching at Johnsonburg High. He recently retired after 36-years there and was head basketball coach (10 years), tennis coach (10 years), baseball coach (4 years) and assistant football coach (19 years).