Dapper Dan Classic a learning experience for local wrestlers
Paul Dunn from Bethel Park (left) and Luke Fortuna from Illinois engage in head-to-head competition and hand-to-hand combat during the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. Dunn won the match, 2-0, but his WPIAL quad succumbed to Illinois.
Matt Rundell of Illinois turns Jared Walker from South Fayette on his head during Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic action. Representing the WPIAL all-stars, Walker dropped an 8-2 decision to Rundell.
Brooks Wilding turns Carver James off his feet and onto his head during Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic action. Wilding lost his match, however, 11-5.
Kellan Stout battles Myles Martin during the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic.
For as long as they can remember Paul Dunn of Bethel Park, Brooks Wilding of Upper St. Clair, Jared Walker of South Fayette and Mt. Lebanon’s Kellan Stout have wanted to participate in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic.
“When I was little, these guys were heroes to me,” said Walker. “It was unimaginable that I could be like them.”
While all four were in the spotlight for one night, they also realized that the 41st annual event held March 15 at the University of Pittsburgh Fitzgerald Field House was more than just the showcase matches, where Illinois topped the WPIAL, 33-10, and the United States all-stars dispatched Pennsylvania’s best, 31-14.
“It’s great to be a part of this. It’s such a huge honor (to be selected),” said Dunn. “To be part of everything made for a great experience.”
In addition to the competition, wrestlers attended clinics and heard from motivational speakers that dispensed valuable advice. One of the guests, Teague Moore, impressed Wilding. A North Allegheny standout, Moore competed in the XXI Classic in 1995 before going on to win a national championship at Oklahoma State.
“Regardless of the winning or losing, (the Classic) is a great experience. A fun weekend,” said Wilding. “It’s good for us to spread the sport and to heed the advice we were given. Teague Moore told us to leave it all on the mat. Don’t hold anything back. When you do that, there are no repercussions.
Though Wilding lost his match to Carver James, a three-time Illinois state champion from Dakota, 11-5, he had no regrets regarding his effort. “I may not have wrestled my best but I gave it all I had to give. That’s all you can do.”
During his scholastic career, Wilding’s all earned him many victories. He finished with a 103-46 record. This season, he finished fourth in the district and was a PIAA qualifier. He hopes to wrestle in college so the Classic proved good preparation.
“We wrestled a lot of tough guys and that will get you ready for the next level,” he said.
Dunn agreed. He was one of the few WPIAL wrestlers to post a victory. He earned a 2-0 decision against Luke Fortuna, a state champion at 152.
During his career, Dunn was a two-time, third-place finisher at the PIAA state championships. He owned a 133-44 record. He will wrestle at Lehigh next year.
“Absolutely,” he said, “this is a stepping stone. I plan on being an All-American and national champion so it’s good to compete against the best wrestlers. I’m excited and can’t wait to go to Lehigh. But this was a great experience. Winning was just a bonus.”
While there was no victory for Stout, he, too, benefited from his experience. Stout suffered a major decision, 12-4, at the hands of Myles Martin. The three-time Maryland champion owned a 171-15 record.
“It was a good experience,” said Stout, who owned a 138-18 career record, “but I am extremely disappointed with how I performed. I wrestled too conservative. I was a little tight and it showed.”
Stout said his performance showed him areas he will need to improve if he intends to be successful at Penn State. “I wanted to put my best foot forward but I didn’t do that. I know I have a lot of work to do. He definitely was the best guy I wrestled but that sometimes can be a double-edged sword. You like to wrestle your best against him because he’s your best competition.”
Putting forth your best effort is all a wrestler can ask. That tidbit of information was Stout’s takeaway from the Classic.
“You can’t hold back. Don’t hold back. That’s what they told us. If you do, it’s not going to turn out the way you expected. You may not win and then you will be more disappointed.”
Though he lost, 8-2, there was little disappointment for Walker, who will wrestle at Kent State next year. He was 152-31 at South Fayette.
“It’s been fun. I met a lot of people. It was great to wrestle in front of friends and family. Plus, I was able to work on my strengths and I have gotten better but there is always room for improvement. I’m focused on the next level so to see all this great competition is positive reinforcement. These guys all are going on to win and do great things in the future.”