As the high school wrestling season comes to an end, the last but most prestigious event has yet to arrive. The 39th Annual Dapper Dan wrestling tournament held at the Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania attracts high school wrestling fans of all ages from around the country.
Every year the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic Committee of 15 members picks a select group of wrestlers from the WPIAL to face off against another state. This year the committee chose to have the WPIAL wrestle team Virginia. But that match is just a warm up for the main event.
The main event known as “The Rose Bowl of Wrestling” features the best senior high school wrestlers of Pennsylvania against the best senior high school wrestlers from all around the United States of America.
Since 1975, there has been a total of 38 matches and Team USA has a slight advantage over Team PA. Team USA has won 19 out of the 38 matches that have taken place, but if Team PA can pull out a win this year it will be all tied up at 19 wins a piece.
In 2011, our hometown hero Nick Bonaccorsi wrestled for the WPIAL team. He ended his high school wrestling career the right way with a 4-0 decision over Ben Ralston of Oxford, Michigan.
We’re so fortunate to have one of the most illustrious high school wrestling matches in the world just 20 minutes away from our houses at the University of Pittsburgh. If you are a true high school wrestling fan you will not want to miss this magical event. The Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic takes place on Sunday, March 17 at 4 o’clock. To view the rosters for Sundays match or more information go to www.wrestlingclassic.com. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime!