SJCA’s Tyler Stoltzfus earned a spot in ‘The Rose Bowl of Wrestling.’ Then coronavirus suspended it
Note: The Centre Daily Times and McClatchy news sites have lifted the paywall on this developing story, providing critical information to readers. To support vital reporting such as this, please consider a digital subscription.
St. Joseph’s wrestler Tyler Stoltzfus was selected to compete in Saturday’s prestigious Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, which bills itself as “The Rose Bowl of Wrestling” — but he learned Thursday that the tournament was indefinitely suspended.
The tournament, formerly known as the Dapper Dan Classic, has annually pitted Pennsylvania high school wrestlers against the best in the U.S. since 1975. But the tournament co-directors announced Thursday morning, amid the growing concern surrounding the coronavirus, that the event will no longer take place this weekend.
“For the fans who purchased tickets, we ask for time enabling us to determine our next course of action because we will make every effort to reschedule the event,” co-directors Kraig Nellis and Philip Mary said in a joint written statement.
Stoltzfus was the first Wolfpack wrestler to ever earn the honor. The PIAA gold medalist at 170 pounds was set to face Georgia’s Gavin Kane, a four-time state champ whose career record was 167-2.
Stoltzfus, who finished his career with a 165-26 record, will wrestle in college for Lock Haven. Kane is committed to North Carolina.
“He’s disappointed,” SJCA coach Pat Flynn said. “He’s been training all week, and his weight is under control. He was looking forward to the challenge.”
Stoltzfus was the lone District 6 qualifier in the event, which has featured future stars through the years such as Penn State national champ Jimmy Martin and Penn State Olympian Ken Chertow. The Classic is considered one of the nation’s most prestigious tournaments for high school wrestlers.
Penn State commits Beau Bartlett, of Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Seminary, and Austin Boone, of Lowell High School in Michigan, were also set to take part in the classic.
The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic was set to kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House. It is not known when the co-directors will provide an update on a potential rescheduled date.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 1,215 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. Pennsylvania has had 19 presumptive cases, with two confirmed cases, as of Thursday afternoon, according to the state department of health.
Regardless, Flynn still lauded his wrestler for earning a spot — even if he might not take part in the end.
“I’m still super proud of him,” Flynn said. “He’s an amazing individual who came a long way. His skill-set has increased, his maturity, everything. He’s going in the right direction, and Lock Haven is getting a pretty special kid.”
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 2:57 PM.
