By The Daily Item
PITTSBURGH — Following a nearly identical pattern to last week’s win in the PIAA final, Selinsgrove’s Spencer Myers did a lot of work early and enough late to upset the nation’s top-ranked wrestler at the prestigious Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic on Saturday night.
Myers, ranked third nationally, got a takedown near the edge of the mat midway through the first period and shut down two-time Idaho state champ Trevor Rupp to win 3-1.
Rupp, out of Pocatello, Idaho, entered the Dapper Dan as the nation’s No. 1 215-pounder, but all he could manage against Myers was an escape late in the second period. He allowed to let Myers up to start the third and he was never able to get the takedown to tie it up.
Twice in the third period Myers got in for a takedown but Rupp — 113-6 in his career — fought them off both times.
The victory continues a remarkable start to the school year for Myers. He was an all-state defensive end for the Seals football team that finished 16-0 and won the school’s first-ever PIAA title. Then he capped a perfect wrestling season a week ago by winning the Class AAA title with a 5-3 victory to finish his senior season 44-0.
It is also the second year in a row a Valley state champion knocked off the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country at the event. A year ago it was Line Mountain’s Jon Fausey.
Team USA stormed out to a 27-3 lead — with Pennsylania’s lone win coming from Myers — before cruising to a 30-13 victory.
In addition to Myers, earning victories for the Pennsylvania stars were Josh Dziewa (135), Marshall Peppleman (160) and Andrew Alton (145).
