SLIPPERY ROCK - No budget, no practice gear, no dual meets - that's how the Slippery Rock High wrestling program debuted in 1998-99.

"All we did was wrestle junior varsity tournaments," coach Fred Powell said. "When we joined the varsity postseason tournaments, all of our kids got the lowest seeds because they were all 0-0."

But Jeff Becker and Trevor Gallo were ahead of the game.

By the time Slippery Rock started its junior high wrestling program in 1999-2000, Becker already knew a lot about the sport through his father, Bob Becker, who was head wrestling coach at Laurel High School.

Gallo, a Prospect resident, was introduced to wrestling as a member of Butler's elementary program.

"No doubt, they had a head start," Powell said. "And it's paid off."

Becker and Gallo were seventh-graders on the initial Slippery Rock junior high team. They've since become Slippery Rock High's first two 100-win wrestlers and the school's first two to place at the state tournament.

This weekend at the Giant Center in Hershey, they hope to become the Rockets' first two state wrestling champions.

Despite the limited history of wrestling at the school, the Rockets have sent a wrestler to the state meet each of the past five years. Liam Powell was a two-time state qualifier while Becker is going to Hershey for the fourth time and Gallo is going for the third year in a row.

"Liam and Bob Becker - Jeff's older brother - were the ones who got the petition going to start a high school team here," Powell said. "They got 14 kids to sign up.

"Liam came home one day and told me they were starting a team. I asked who the coach was gonna be and he said they were kind of hoping I'd come out of retirement and do it."

Powell, 62, was Slippery Rock University's wrestling coach from 1967-91 and coached 25 conference champions.

Jeff Becker and Gallo have reaped the benefits of his expertise.

"I was always into wrestling, but never really got good until joining Coach Powell's team," Gallo said.

He's plenty good now. Sporting a 106-23 career record and a 28-1 mark this year, Gallo's lone loss this season is to Branden Stearns (36-3) of General McLane, a Class AAA wrestler.

Gallo dropped a 3-2 decision to Stearns at the Tool City Tournament early in the season.

"That was one of my first matches at 171 after I cut weight from 189 after football," Gallo said.

After placing sixth at 171 last year, Gallo has his sights set on a state championship.

"The fact I only have one loss this year - and I won't be facing that kid again - has really helped my confidence," he said. "I was a little scared the last couple of years going to states because I had five or six losses already.

"If I wind up second or third out there, yeah, it'd be disappointing, but it'd still be a successful year because I would have done better than last year."

As a freshman, Gallo's record was an ordinary 10-8. Now he's weighing offers from Kent State, Edinboro and Clarion.

"I never thought I'd be where I am now," he admitted.

Becker is a bit of a different story. He's lost only 11 matches in four years while recording 127 wins.

Becker is the only undefeated wrestler in the Class AA 145-pound weight class this year.

"If I don't win the state title, I can't consider the season a success," Becker said. "I just can't."

Since his freshman year, Becker has been driven by goals. He wanted to reach 100 wins, place at the state tournament all four years and become a two-time state champion.

He can still graduate as a three-time state placer and one-time state champion.

"I've achieved my biggest goal of all," Becker said. "I wanted to get a college scholarship through wrestling."

He signed with Old Dominion University in Virginia in November and will major in elementary education.

"I haven't decided if I want to coach wrestling yet or not," Becker said. "I'll wait and see how I feel when I leave the sport."

If he reaches his new goals, that won't be for a while. Becker wants to become a two-time NCAA champion and possibly compete in the 2012 Olympic Games.

"Jeff grew up with the sport," Powell said. "His dad took him to tournaments all the time and he's competed in numerous national tournaments.

"When he left practice with me, he had his father at home to work with him."

Powell described Gallo as "a great listener who became accomplished in two sports."

"He could have a future in football or wrestling," the coach said. "But this kid loves the one-on-one competitiveness of wrestling."

"If you lose, you can't blame a teammate," Gallo said, smiling.

Powell isn't betting on either one losing this weekend.

"All I know is they'll both give their best," he said. "And that might be enough."

Here are some notes on Slippery Rock High wrestlers Jeff Becker and Trevor Gallo, Butler County's lone participants in the PIAA Wrestling Championships Thursday through Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey:<b>Jeff Becker</b>Weight class - 145 pounds2004-05 record - 26-0Career record - 127-11How qualified - Northwest Regional championPIAA history - Four-time state qualifier, fifth at 125 pounds as sophomore, third at 135 pounds as juniorOpening opponent - Alex Evans (Washington), sophomore, 41-5, fifth-place qualifier from Southwest RegionBracket notes - Eight of 16 wrestlers are seniors. … Becker is only undefeated wrestler in field. … David Sunderland (South Huntingdon) 34-1 lost first match of year in Southwest Regional finals to Donnie Ament (Mount Pleasant) 45-3.<b>Trevor Gallo</b>Weight class - 171 pounds2004-05 record - 28-1Career record - 106-23How qualified - Northwest Regional championPIAA history - Three-time state qualifier, sixth at 171 pounds as juniorOpening opponent - Andrew Nave (Everett), senior, 32-3, fifth-place qualifier from Southwest Region.Bracket notes - 13 of 16 wrestlers are seniors. … Two wrestlers sport perfect records: A.J. Graves (Jeannette) 37-0 and Eric Lapotsky (Mount Carmel) 35-0.