Wrestling Classic a learning experience for duo
Nino Bonaccorsi
Brendan Furman
Canon-McMillan’s Brendan Furman of the Pennsylvania Team battles Trent Hillger of the United States Team during the heavyweight bout of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic Saturday at Pitt. Hillger won a 3-0 decision.
For Nino Bonaccorsi and Brendan Furman, the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic was a learning experience.
“Many of the wrestlers in the Classic were not from Pittsburgh and I’m a Pittsburgh guy and I learned something,” said Bonaccorsi. “We went on a sightseeing tour, did the Gateway Clipper and the Incline. It was sweet,” continued the Bethel Park resident, “but the one thing that struck me was how many bridges there are in town. Something like 425. That’s crazy.”
Crazy was the competition for both Bonaccorsi and Furman.
Wrestling on his future college mat at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Fieldhouse, Bonaccorsi recorded a major decision, 12-2, against Jacob Hart from Independence, W.Va.
“It was really crazy. I have not seen the place that packed with so many people before. I was itching to get out there,” Bonaccorsi said enthusiastically.
“It was exciting,” added the Panthers’ 182-pound recruit, “and I was glad to get my first win on a Pitt matt.”
The victory proved pivotal as it was the last victory the Pennsylvania All-Stars would post in the match as the United States went on to victory, 28-20.
“It was exciting because at the time I wrestled it was close and to get a major decision really helped the team. Even though we eventually lost, it was good to help the team and to compete.”
Bonaccorsi certainly is the competitor. He finished his career as the school’s second winningest wrestler with a 148-21 record. Only his brother, Nick, ranks ahead of him. Bonaccorsi has been a two-time state runner-up and a two-time WPIAL and Southwest Regional champion.
The win at the Classic took a bit of the sting out of losing in the state finals only a week prior.
“It’s bittersweet to know it’s all over,” Bonaccorsi said of his high school career, “but I am looking forward to the next chapter. When I wrestle, I never hope I win and I don’t worry about losing. I just try to wrestle my best and if I did that then I know that I did all that I could.”
Meanwhile, Furman did all he could but came up a little short in his heavyweight match against Trent Hillger. A three-time Michigan state champion, Hillger came into the bout sporting a 241-8 record. He is a Wisconsin recruit.
A Cornell recruit, Furman compiled a 138-33 record. The Canon-McMillan senior won a state championship this year.
In defeat, Furman said he learned a lot because Hilger was the first wrestler to ride him all year. “Now I know my flaws on bottom and what to work on. There’s always a positive even when you lose.”
Furman lost, 3-0, to Hillger. He trailed, 1-0, after surrendering a second-period escape to Hillger. He picked bottom for the third period.
Furman took the bottom position in the third period,
Furman, however, could not escape.
“I felt pretty good the first two periods,” Furman said. “I took bottom in the third period, but didn’t shoot up right away and I let him get the leg in. He has very good hips and was able to break me down and ride me and even turn me.”
Despite the loss, Canon-McMillan coach Jason Cardillo was impressed with Furman’s performance.
“It would have been nice to see him get a win,” Cardillo said. “I thought he wrestled well.”
Furman finished the season with a 47-3 record.
“I’m really proud of Brendan,” Cardillo said. “He worked really hard to get here. He reached his goal of winning a state title. Getting to wrestle here is a bonus. It’s an honor for him to wrestle in The Classic.”