Alex Dunaway knew there might be a personal scheduling conflict.

But he also knew there was a chance he would be able to compete at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals, which will take place July 19-26 in Fargo, N.D.

"I went to five qualifying tournaments, then went to the [Pennsylvania Amateur Wrestling Federation] state tournament," said Dunaway, who recently completed his sophomore year at McGuffey High School. "I thought I was good enough to qualify, but I didn't know if I would be able to attend the national tournament."

Dunaway was correct on both assumptions. He qualified for Junior Nationals by placing first in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman, while competing in the 112-pound weight class.

"I knew coming into the tournament that there was a chance I wouldn't be able to go to Fargo," Dunaway said. "But I still wanted to find out where I would finish in the state tournament."

Shortly after qualifying, Dunaway received the news he was waiting for.

"I have family coming up from down south the same week of Junior Nationals," Dunaway said. "I really wanted to wrestle at Fargo, but my family is more important. I don't see them very often, so I decided to skip nationals and spend time with my family."

Dunaway is a two-year starter at McGuffey who has registered 61 victories since breaking into the starting lineup as a 103-pound freshman.

"Alex is such a hard worker," said McGuffey coach Jeff Breese Sr. "What Alex lacks in talent, he makes up for it in other areas. I wish everybody on my team was as dedicated as Alex is."

Dunaway posted a 26-9 record in his varsity debut. He placed second in Section 4-AAA and fourth in the WPIAL, which left him one win short of a PIAA berth.

"I lost to Hempfield's Chris Mongelluzzo, 4-1, in the consolation for third place," said Dunaway. "It was so disappointing to get that close to a PIAA berth and come up short. Coming that close made me work even harder."

Dunaway found himself in a similar situation in this year's WPIAL tournament. He returned to the 103-pound weight class and won the Section 4-AAA title. He was seeded No. 2 in the WPIAL bracket, but lost in the quarterfinals to Penn-Trafford's Ryan Bohince, the eventual runner-up.

That meant Dunaway would have to record four consecutive victories in the consolation bracket to finish third and earn the final PIAA berth.

That's just what he did.

Dunaway capped the feat with a 5-3 win over Hempfield's Paul Bewak in the consolation for third place.

"Last year, I lost to a [Westmoreland County] wrestler for third place," said Dunaway. "This year, I beat a [Westmoreland County] wrestler to qualify."

Dunaway finished the season with a 35-7 record after going 1-2 at Hershey.

"Coach wants me to stay at 103 this season," Dunaway said. "That means I have to get down to 105 [with a two-pound weight allowance] by the middle of January.

"It's possible, but I want to wait and see if I have a growth spurt before the season begins. I've been weighing in at 115 over the summer, but haven't really tried to cut weight."

With 61 career victories, Dunaway will have a legitimate chance to reach the Century Club during his junior year.

"One of my goals is to have more wins than I had last season," said Dunaway. "If I can do that, I have a good shot of reaching 100 wins.

"Joining the Century Club would be an honor, but placing at the state tournament is more important. That's why I'm working so hard over the summer."

Dunaway also plays football and baseball.

"I was a cornerback and wide receiver on the JV team," Dunaway said. "I'm not quite big enough to start on the varsity yet."

Dunaway also played on the JV baseball team and is currently playing Colt League baseball.