Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic adds three elite wrestlers to USA team

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Frank Vulcano (Dapper Dan)
02/21/2003


PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Three elite wrestlers have made commitments to participate in the 29th annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, which will be held Sunday, March 16 at the University of Pittsburgh's Fitzgerald Field House.    Eric Sanders, a three-time state champion from Wabasha (Minn.) Kellogg High School; Mack Reiter, a three-time state champion from Don Bosco High School in Jesup, Iowa; and Ryan Lang, a three-time state champion from Cleveland's St. Edwards High School; will participate on the United States All-Star Team.    Pennsylvania will wrestle the USA team at 6 p.m. The Western Pennsylvania All-Stars will take on Virginia in a 4 p.m. match.    Sanders, a 119-pound senior, has compiled a career record of 123-4 through three seasons and has signed with North Dakota State University. He posted records of 43-2 as a junior, 43-0 as a sophomore and 37-2 as a freshman.    He was a Greco-Roman All-American and Fila Cadet runner-up in 2001. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and has received Academic All-State honors.    Reiter, a 125-pounder, took a 135-3 record into his senior season. He has a combined 92-0 record over his last two seasons after finishing 43-3 as a freshman.    Reiter, who is headed for the University of Minnesota, was a Junior National champion in freestyle, and a Fila Cadet freestyle runner-up in 2001. He won Cadet freestyle and Fila Cadet freestyle titles in 2000 and has been named to the Asics Tiger All-American Team the past two seasons.    Lang, who competes at 135 pounds, entered his senior season with a 113-17 record and has committed to Northwestern University. He had nearly identical records in his past two scholastic seasons, going 38-8 as a junior and 38-7 as a sophomore. Lang was 37-2 as a freshman.    He won a Junior National freestyle title at 130 pounds last season and is a three-time Ohio state freestyle champion. Lang is a four-time placewinner and one-time champion in the prestigious Beast of the East tournament and a two-time champion and four-time placewinner in the Ironman tournament.    The Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, nicknamed "The Rose Bowl of Wrestling," is the premier high school all-star dual meet event in the United States.    The Wrestling Classic is presented by UPMC Health System, UPMC Health Plan, and Rubbermaid, and supported by other corporate sponsors. This all-star event is produced by a local committee of volunteers and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Dapper Dan Charities. The committee is co-directed by two former Wrestling Classic competitors: Kraig Nellis and Frank Vulcano, Jr.    Proceeds from the Wrestling Classic support a wrestling program for underprivileged children through the Dapper Dan Youth Sports League at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.    Tickets can be purchased by calling the Dapper Dan Charities at 412-263-3850, visiting Wright Automotive Group on Route 19, Wexford, Pa., Canon McMillan High School or ordering online at www.wrestlingclassic.com.