BPHS had two of its wrestlers, 132 pounder Nino Bonaccorsi and 152 pounder Paul Dunn, compete at FloNationals on Apr. 4 and 5 at IUP.
FloNationals is one of the top wrestling tournaments, as high school wrestlers from all over the country come to compete for the championship belt.
The weight classes for the tournament are the same as normal PIAA high school weights; the only difference is that the wrestlers were allowed 5 pounds.
On the first day of competition, Bonaccorsi’s preliminary match was against Harrison Adams from Compound. Bonaccorsi won the match 10-0. Bonaccorsi’s next match was against Florida’s Anthony Vazquez from Cardinal. Bonaccorsi came up short that match falling 9-5. Bonaccorsi then wrestled Garrett Buckley from Catocin. Bonaccorsi won the match by technical fall 18-2. Bonaccorsi then wrestled Tony Lombardo from Bethlehem Catholic. Bonaccorsi won the match 4-1. His next match was against Darren Ostrander, who fell to Bonaccorsi 4-0.
After tough matches on the first day, Bonaccorsi qualified to wrestle the second day first against Jawen Jones from Peak. Bonaccorsi won the match 9-2 putting him into the blood rounds. Bonaccorsi then had to wrestle Kent Lane from Bison Legend. Bonaccorsi came short of placing at FloNationals losing that match 7-3.
Paul Dunn at 152 pounds had a great tournament. Dunn had to wrestle Cole Walter from Bison Legend. Dunn fell short losing the match 5-0. Dunn then had to wrestle Taylor Cahill from Young Guns. Dunn won the match by fall in 2 minutes 58 seconds. Dunn’s next match was against Austin Leon from Seneca Valley. Dunn won the match 3-2. Dunn then wrestled Anthony Deprez from G2. Dunn came short in the match losing 7-0. Dunn was 1 round short of making it into the blood rounds.
Dunn said, “It is very tough because FloNationals involves some of the best AA and AAA wrestlers from PA, in addition to some of the best kids in the country. But most of the PA wrestlers are already used to that high level of competition just from the regular season.”
The Bethel Park wrestlers had a great tournament and wrestled very strongly. Hopefully, they can come back next year and win a championship belt.