JOSH HENSON

Athlete, North Penn High School, 1992

6 Varsity letters, 3 Wrestling, 3 Soccer
1992 PIAA STATECHAMPION 171 LBS. WEIGHT CLASS
1992 Section 3, District 1, South East Regional Champion
1992 NPHS Wrestling MVP Award
Overall Wrestling Record 75-23, Senior Record 36-2, 22 pins
2001 Inducted into District 1 Wrestling Hall of Fame
Section 3, Colonial Division, National Conference Team Champions
1992 Winner of Challenge of Champions Match AAA vs AA
2001 Inducted into South East Regional Wrestling Hall of Frame
1991 NPHS Soccer MVP Award
Collegiate Wrestling: James Madison University and Rider University
3 time NCAA qualifier, over 100 wins
CAA Conference Champion 1994, ECWA Conference Champion 1997
Rider University, B.S., Finance, 1997
Drexel University, MBA, Finance, 2002
Drexel University Graduate Assistant Wrestling Coach 2000-2002
INDUCTED 2014

Josh came from a North Penn wrestling family where his father, Fred, and brother, Jason, wrestled for coach Ed Klavon. Fred was a Regional qualifier in the 1965.He later became an assistant wrestling coach at North Penn in the 1980's. (Fred was awarded the Silver Star for valor in the Marine corps in Viet Nam.)

On the varsity for 3 years Josh improved steadily as a wrestler and soccer player where in his senior year he was selected as outstanding player in both sports. As a junior in soccer and wrestling he received the outstanding athlete award and selected to the Suburban 1 League. In 1992 he won the PIAA State title in the 171 weight class along with S.E. Regional, District 1 and Section 3 titles. At North Penn he received the award for wrestler with the highest scholastic average. He was a team member of team championships; Suburban 1 League, National Conference, Colonial Division and Section 3 of District 1. His senior year he won the Northern Lebanon Tourney and finished  2nd in the prestigious Manheim Tournament, won the Challenge of Champions match AAA vs AA, and represented Pennsylvania in the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.His overall record was 75 wins and 23 losses and his senior year record was 32 wins, 2 losses with 22 pins.

He was inducted to the South East Regional Hall of Fame in 2001

At college he continued his scholastic and athletic progress. He was NCAA tournament qualifier 3 times with over 100 wins. As a freshman at James Madison U. he placed 3rd in the CAA conference and was conference champion in 1994. At Rider U. he as ECWA runner-up and then conference champion in 1997.He was nominee for Rider President's Award for distinguished academic and athletic performance. He graduated  from Rider with a BS degree in finance and later  from Drexel U.  with an MBA in 2002. He served as assistant wrestling coach at Drexel in 2000 to 2002.

Josh is employed at Constellation Energy and lives in  West Chester, Pa. with his wife Stephanie and daughter Kathryn age 7 and son Matthew age 4.

While attending North Penn High School, Josh participated in soccer in the fall.  He earned 3 varsity letters and received the MVP award in his senior year.  During his first year in high school on the soccer team, he was the only sophomore that started on the varsity team.  He played on the front line at left wing mainly focusing on offense.  His junior and senior years, he settled back in his more comfortable position at center halfback where he could play defense and offense.  Josh played under coach Dave Rittenhouse all three years and appreciated his leadership style.

During the winter, Josh wrestled and earned 3 varsity letters.  He wrestled all three years under legendary coach Ed Klavon, who had also coached his father and brother as well.  During his sophomore year at 152 lbs., Josh compiled a winning record.  During his junior and senior years, he wrestled 171 lbs.  Josh continued to improve upon his overall wrestling record and advanced to the District championships his junior year.  It wasn’t until his senior year that he put it all together earning the MVP award on the team.  He compiled a 36-2 season with 22 pins that was the most on the team that year.  He won Sectional, District, and Regional championships.  His season was capped off at the end of the year winning the PIAA state wrestling championship at 171lbs.

After high school graduation, Josh accepted a wrestling scholarship to James Madison University.  He wrestled there for two years and started for the team at 177lbs. both years.  In his sophomore year, he won a CAA conference championship and qualified for the NCAA wrestling championships.  Josh later transferred to Rider University wrestling for 2 more seasons.  He won an ECWA conference championship, qualified for nationals two more times, and compiled over 100 wins in his collegiate career.  His most proud moment at Rider during his senior year was being nominated for the president’s award for distinguished academic and athletic performance.

Josh graduated from both Rider University with his undergraduate degree and Drexel University with his MBA with honors. Currently in his professional career, Josh is a Managing Director in Portfolio Management at Exelon Corporation.  He resides in West Chester, PA with his wife, Stephanie, and two children, Kathryn and Matthew.  Josh is honored to be a member of the North Penn Alumni Athletic Association and is proud to be from the North Penn community