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Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic: U.S. edges Pennsylvania, 22-21
Monday, March 26, 2007

Rebecca Droke, Post-Gazette
Latrobe High School's Ryan Goodman tops, works against Seth Vernon of Tulsa Union in Oklahoma in the 145-pound match yesterday at the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. Goodman defeated Vernon, 4-3, in two overtimes.
By David Assad, Tri-State Sports & News Service

Derry Area senior Troy Dolan felt a heavyweight's burden on his 119-pound frame yesterday at the 33rd annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House.

Dolan, a three-time PIAA champion, scored a 4-1 decision against four-time Minnesota champion Zach Sanders in the final bout of the day. The last match is usually concluded by the heavyweights at an all-star event such as the Classic. Dolan not only had to win, he needed at least a major decision -- by eight points or more -- to secure Pennsylvania's first victory against the U.S. All-Stars since 2000.

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Unfortunately, Dolan's close win meant the Pennsylvania team came up short for the seventh consecutive time. The United States prevailed, 22-21, despite only winning six of 13 weight classes. The difference came down to bonus points in U.S. victories at 285 and 215 pounds.

The United States got six points at 285 when Missouri's Dom Bradley claimed a victory by injury forfeit against Richie Smith of Pen Argyl. Smith re-injured his right knee with 1:16 left in the second period and the score tied, 2-2. That gave the United States a 19-9 lead.

"It was a great dual meet," said Hempfield High School coach Vince DeAugustine, one of Pennsylvania's coaches. "There were so many great matches. I'm proud of the way our kids wrestled. They faced the best team in the nation."

The weight-class matches were run in random order with the exception of Dolan's. It was purposely placed at the end by the Classic officials.

"I really wanted to win this for the team," Dolan said. "It was a good win individually, but I was a little disappointed I didn't get the major [decision] ... I knew the last match was on me."

The U.S. team had three last-minute changes in its lineup because of injuries. The Pennsylvania All-Stars took advantage of the substitutions, winning each of those bouts.

Pennsylvania got off to a good start when Latrobe's Ryan Goodman, a West Virginia recruit, scored a 4-3 overtime decision against Seth Vernon, a three-time Oklahoma champion, at 145. Goodman managed a takedown with two seconds left in the second overtime to give Pennsylvania a 3-0 lead.

The other Pennsylvania victories against U.S. substitutes came when Tyler Nauman of Middletown topped Max Shanaman of New Jersey, 9-5, at 130 and Matt Moore of Blairsville edged Ben Sarbacker of Wisconsin, 3-1, at 160. Nauman is a Pitt recruit.

Moore's victory cut the U.S. lead to 19-15. Shaler's Nick Nelson then recorded a 5-2 decision against four-time Texas champion Luke Silver at 140 to pull Pennsylvania closer.

Nazareth's Tim Darling, a three-time PIAA champion, had the event's most entertaining match, a 5-3 loss to four-time Illinois champion Albert White at 152. Darling scored a reversal with 1:14 left for a 3-2 lead, but White scored a takedown in the final seconds for the win.

Had Darling upset White, Dolan would have been protecting a two-point lead going into his match with Sanders.

Dolan led, 4-0, early in the second period against Sanders who then went into a defensive shell, not allowing the aggressive Dolan to do any more damage.

"Troy went out there confident he could get a major to help the team," DeAugustine said. "I think he wore himself out a little bit trying to get it, but those are the top two guys in the nation, so it says a lot for Troy to get the decision."

First published on March 26, 2007 at 12:00 am