Owen selected to 35th Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic

by Rich Murawski Assistant Sports Editor

Posted on March 10, 2009

PITTSBURGH - Clearfield senior heavyweight Sean Owen has been selected to represent Team Pennsylvania at the 35th Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic Sunday at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse.
Owen is the sixth Bison wrestler to compete at The Classic, joining the likes of Mike Gill, Todd Williams, Scott Collins, Mike Owens and Brad Pataky.

"I asked Sean if he understood what this was, and he really didn't know," Clearfield head coach Jeff Aveni said. "I explained it is an extreme honor and he was like, 'oh, wow!' It's great for Sean and the program. It's quite a challenge when PA takes on the rest of the country."

"Sean's excited," Aveni continued. "It's an opportunity to cap off his senior season, and it's a great honor for him."

Owen will tangle with three-time North Carolina state champion Eloheim Palma from Cary High School. Palma has a career record of 229-8 and was 62-0 this season.

"He's an aggressive kid," Aveni said. "He will wrestle. He moves well on his feet and likes to shoot high singles and doublers. We're going to prepare to wrestle like we're accustomed to. We won't be standing around in a stall-fest. I have a feeling it will be a good match."

"We want to try and stay sharp, and try to pick up a few things from film. We need to prepare for one match and try to establish a scouting report and game plan."

The past Bisons who have wrestled in The Classic are a combined 2-2-1 and have each represented Clearfield's storied program well.

Pataky defeated Florida's Franklin Gomez, 3-1, in 2005 in the 119-pound bout and earned Outstanding Wrestler honors for his performance.

Collins knocked off Nebraska's Duane Martin by major decision, 16-7, in 1986 in the 126-pound bout.

Teammate Williams wrestled to a 9-9 tie with Illinois' Mark Pustelnik.

Owens, the third Bison to wrestle in the 1986 Classic, dropped a 3-1 decision to Oklahoma's Doug Watson at 185.

Gill, who was the first Clearfield representative at The Classic, lost a 5-2 decision to Virginia's Chris Conkwright at 132 pounds in 1975 - the first year the event was held.

Aveni says Owen will likely carry on Clearfield's strong tradition at the Dapper Dan.

"I hope so. These events are for charity and for fun, but if we're are going to compete, we want our kids to compete at our best," Aveni said.

"You want to win. It's something to add to your resume. It's something you want to go out and perform well at and showcase what they can do."

The Pennsylvania team consists of team Keystone Oaks' Anthony Zanetta (112), Penn Trafford's Shane Young (119), Northwestern Lehigh's Evan Yenolevich (125), North Allegheny's Joe Waltko (130), Latrobe's Joey Walters (135) and Shady Side Academy's Dane Johnson (140).

It also features Cumberland Valley's Joey Napoli (145), Benton's Corey Lear (152), Hempfield's Jake Kemerer (160), Grove City's Caleb Kolb (171), Line Mountain's Jon Fausey (189), Saucon Valley's Brandon Palik (215) and Owen.

The USA vs. Pennsylvania All-Star match is scheduled for 4 p.m. There will be a preliminary match at 2 between the WPIAL All-Stars and the West Virginia All-Stars.

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