Athletic director and wrestling coach Pat Pecora won his 500th dual meet in Febuary and Pitt-Johnstown is celebrating in style.

University officials are trying to get 500 people, one for each win, to donate to the 500 & Beyond campaign.

Pecora’s wrestlers defeated Shippensburg to gain his 500th win. Events have been held in honor and are still planned to celebrate the achievement.

Money raised is to go toward the wrestling program to further the team, according to Lynn Barger, Pitt-Johnstown director of Institutional Advancement.

The wrestlers are set to start the last season in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

One of the first events held to celebrate the 500 victories was a Sept. 8 golf outing at Windber Country Club. The outing included sponsors for individual holes to corporate sponsorships.

The other event to help raise wrestling funds was the Mountain Cat Dash homecoming weekend.

The event was a 5k run/walk or one-mile walk and was sponsored by the wrestling team alumni and Pitt-Johnstown Wellness Center.

A total of 58 people participated in the dash and raised over $850 for the 500 & Beyond campaign, according to Katrin Wolfe, Wellness Center director.

“We were excited to have a good turnout for the 2012 Mountain Cat Dash and help contribute to 500-win campaign,” said Wolfe.

The events all lead up to a special pre-meet celebration Dec. 8 before the first weekend home wrestling meet of the year.

The celebration is to take place at the athletic hall of fame at Pitt-Johnstown.