Matthew Cunningham got his chance to compete in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic Saturday night at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House. But things didn't go well for the Shady Side Academy senior and his Pennsylvania teammates.

The United States All-Stars dominated the match with wins in nine of the 13 weight classes, en route to a surprisingly easy, 30-13 victory against the Pennsylvania All-Stars.

"We may have still had that state-winning hangover from the PIAA tournament," said Cunningham, a two-time PIAA Class AA finalist and one-time champion who has accepted a scholarship offer from Cornell University. "I knew the United States team was good, but I didn't think they would be this dominant."

Cunningham, who also won four WPIAL titles in his career at Shady Side Academy, was defeated, 10-5, in the 171-pound bout by Nick Visciaro, a two-time New Jersey champion from Long Branch who will be attending Rutgers.

"I've attended the classic since I was little," said Cunningham, who was the only member of the Pennsylvania All-Star team from the WPIAL.

"It's an honor to finally wrestle in the classic. I just wish I could have given the fans a win."

The U.S. All-Stars opened the contest with victories by two three-time state champions. Jamie Clark, from St. Edwards High School in Ohio, began the match with a 3-1 victory in the 130-pound weight class against Joe Spisak of Boiling Springs, a PIAA Class AA champion. Ryak Finch, from Safford, Ariz., followed with an 8-5 decision against Benton's Michael Rhone at 112.

The Pennsylvania All-Stars got their first win in the third bout. Selinsgrove's Spencer Myers, a PIAA Class AAA champion, edged Trevor Rupp, a two-time Idaho champion from Pocatello, 3-1, at 215 pounds.

The U.S. team took control with six consecutive victories, including wins by four-time champions Logan Stieber and Chris Villalonga.

Stieber, from Monroeville, Ohio, recorded an 11-5 win against Bellefonte's Mitchell Port, a PIAA Class AA champion, at 125. Villalonga, a four-time National Prep School champion from New Jersey's Blair Academy, registered a 6-2 decision against Blue Mountain's Josh Kindig, a two-time PIAA Class AAA champion, at 140.

Villalonga was named Outstanding Wrestler of the U.S. team.

Three-time Ohio champion Ty Mitch from Aurora High recorded a 12-11 win in the 119-pound bout against Bethlehem Liberty's Anthony Marino, a PIAA Class AAA runner-up.

The Pennsylvania team did finish on a positive note, winning three of the last four bouts.

Josh Dziewa, a PIAA Class AAA champion from Council Rock South, began the late rally with a 14-5 major decision against Ryan Nieman, a three-time Michigan champion from Bullock Creek, at 135. Dziewa was named Outstanding Wrestler of Pennsylvania.

Marshall Peppelman, a three-time PIAA Class AAA champion from Central Dauphin, followed with a 1-0 decision at 160 against Nick Sulzer, an Ohio champion from St. Edwards.

Central Mountain's Alton twins, Andrew and Dylan, closed out the event but only one came up with a victory. Andrew Alton, a two-time PIAA Class AAA champion, managed a 9-4 win against Joe Cozart, a four-time Florida champion from Brandon, at 145. Dylan Alton, a three-time PIAA Class AAA champion, dropped a 7-6 decision to Jackson Morse, a three-time Michigan champion from Lowell, at 152.

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