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Standout PA Wrestler Mikey Racciato, 26, Dead On Christmas Day

Standout Slate Belt wrestler Michael "Mikey" Racciato died on Christmas Day, at 26 years old.

Standout Pen Argyl and University of Pittsburg wrestler Michael "Mikey" Racciato, 26, was pronounced dead on Christmas Day.

Standout Pen Argyl and University of Pittsburg wrestler Michael "Mikey" Racciato, 26, was pronounced dead on Christmas Day.

Photo Credit: Dawn Snyder Photography

A public walk-through visitation will be Jan. 3, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ruggiero Funeral Home in Pen Argyl. 

Racciato was born in Bethlehem and lived in Plainfield Township. He pronounced dead Friday in Northampton County, according to Coroner Zachary Lysek. 

The cause and manner of death were not immediately known.

Racciato graduated Pen Argyl with a 186-8 record and went on to wrestle on scholarship for University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated in 2017.

He was a three-time PIAA Class 2A champion, two-time Express-Times Wrestler of the Year and 2015 ACC champion -- and a two-time finalist.

In 2013, Racciato was selected to wrestle in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic.

But Racciato was more than just a stellar athlete. Friends and loved ones remembered him for his natural leadership abilities, his sense of humor and his genuine kindness.

"We are all saddened to hear this terrible news," Pitt wrestling head coach Keith Gavin said. "Although I did not have the privilege of coaching Mikey, I know he was loved by his teammates, coaches and fans during his time here. 

"He certainly made an impact and will be dearly missed."

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