Matt Wilhelm, a 1999 graduate of Elyria Catholic and Lorain County Golden Helmet winner, had his No. 34 football jersey retired last night during halftime of the Panthers' 73-57 win over Padua. Wilhelm was the starting middle linebacker for the national champion Buckeyes, the first Ohio State team to go undefeated in 34 years.

''I'm just as proud to be a Panther as I am to be a Buckeye,'' said Wilhelm, whose grandfather, Al Kuncel, is a member of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame. Kuncel was a Lorain High graduate who excelled in football and track. ''I did some great things in my time here. To come back and be recognized is a great feeling.''

Wilhelm was a first-team All-Ohio selection as a senior at Elyria Catholic, recording 100 tackles, including 26 for a loss and 11 sacks. He also played running back and tight end.

At Ohio State, he was a three-year starter at middle linebacker. After struggling through a severe ankle injury as a junior, Wilhelm rebounded this year to lead the Buckeyes in tackles and earn All-American recognition. He is projected as one of the top middle linebackers in next month's NFL draft.

''He epitomizes one of our own,'' Elyria Catholic Athletic Director Chris Fiore said. ''We have a great athletic tradition at Elyria Catholic and he's obviously fit that mold and continued the great tradition. And more importantly, he's a great person. He's worked extremely hard and he deserves what he's getting.''

Following Ohio State's double overtime victory over Miami, Wilhelm called out his family, his hometown of Lorain and Elyria Catholic on national television.

''For him to give a shout out to Elyria Catholic on national television, it tells you we have a good relationship with him,'' Fiore said. ''We must have made a little bit of an impact on his life, and in return he's affected a lot of people here.''

Wilhelm will head to Indianapolis next week for the NFL combine, then hold his own private workouts for NFL scouts next month in Columbus.