3-TIME NEW JERSEY CHAMP IS FIRST MEMBER OF CLASSIC UNITED STATES TEAM
PITTSBURGH – Steve Mocco, considered one of the best schoolboy wrestlers in the United States, is the first selection to the United States team for the 27th annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic scheduled for Saturday, March 24 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House.
 
Mocco, a three-time national prep champion, has won three New Jersey state titles – going 56-1, 56-0 and 50-0. He is a heavyweight for Blair Academy, Blairstown, N.J.
 
A resident of North Bergen, N.J., Mocco was a member of the Asics All-American first team in 2000. He is the only junior 275-pound wrestler to make that team. Mocco was a member of Asics’ All-American second team in 1999.
 
He is a two-time junior national champion – freestyle, winning in 1999 and 2000.
 
He was fourth in the junior nationals in 1998 and won the Cadet Nationals in 1997.
 
This season, Mocco won the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament in Newark, Delaware. He currently is 20-0 and also won the Iron Man Tournament at Walsh-Jesuit (Ohio) and the Bethlehem Holiday Classic at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
 
Mocco also won the East Stroudsburg University Open, against collegiate competition.
 
"His training ethic is unreal," Blair Academy Coach Jeff Buxton said. "He is firing on all cylinders right now. Steve has the best work ethic of any high school wrestler I’ve seen.
 
He’s like a Cary Kolat or Dave Schultz. He has unbelievable talent."
Mocco is the son of Joe and Helen Mocco.
 
The Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, partially funded by UPMC Health System, benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.
 
The Wrestling Classic, dubbed "The Rose Bowl of Wrestling," is the premier high school all-star dual meet in the United States.
 
The preliminary match will feature WPIAL stars going against Minnesota’s best at 5:30 p.m. The main event – Pennsylvania versus the USA will begin at 7:30 p.m.
 
Pennsylvania leads the all-time series 15-10-1.
 
Tickets for the Wrestling Classic are $12 for reserved seats and $8 for general admission. They can be purchased at Wright Automotive Group in Wexford, Canon-McMillan High School or by mail to Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, P.O. Box 957, Pittsburgh, PA 15230, or online at www.wrestlingclassic.com.

 

Contacts:
Frank Vulcano Jr.
Co-Director Principal
Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic
225 Fair Meadow Circle 
Houston, PA 15342 
Work: 412-896-2345
Fax: 412-384-2030 
E-mail: vulcanojr@hotmail.com		 John E. Sacco
Sacco Consulting
813 Crest Drive
Monessen, PA 15062
Work: 412-281-4408
Home: 724-684-6031
Fax: 412-471-7203
E-mail: sacman@usaor.net