Every year during the spring and summer wrestlers take a little break from their normal form of folk style wrestling and train for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling which is the Olympic form of wrestling. The 2014 Pennsylvania State Championships will be held at Chambersburg High School next weekend. (5/30-31)

Freestyle is similar to folk style but differs severely by the way it is scored. While Greco-Roman is mostly based around throws because the touching of your opponent’s legs is highly illegal.

In order to qualify for the State Championships you must place top 4 at one of the regional tournaments. These tournaments were held at University of Pitt-Johnstown, two were held at Chartiers Valley because one was moved from Franklin Regional.

Bethel Park’s own Nino Bonaccorsi has been competing and placed 1st in two of the qualifying tournaments in the 145 pound cadet division. Bonaccorsi totaled 5 wins in his two tournament championships and now has his eyes set on a Freestyle State Championship.

“It helps me get more competition and wrestling in the off-season. Also helps me improve my skills while changing things up from the usual folk style type of wrestling we do,” stated Bonaccorsi when asked why he wrestles freestyle.

The ultimate goal for freestyle wrestlers is to qualify for the prestigious national tournament held in Fargo, North Dakota. In order to qualify for this national event you must place top 3 at the State Championships.

When asked about his goals for the State Championships Bonaccorsi said, “I want to win the tournament but more importantly I just want to wrestle my best and have fun doing it.”

Bonaccosi will compete in Virginia Beach, VA the weekend before in the NHSCA Duals. He will look to help his team win a national title before heading to freestyle states to toss some competition. Good luck Nino!