Countryside's Dominic DeNunzio capped off his senior season by going undefeated to win his first state title.
But his perfect record finally came to an end last weekend when he ventured outside Florida to compete in the Senior National Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio.
DeNunzio went 2-2 at the double-elimination tournament. He won his first bout in the 140-pound weight class before his first loss. In the consolation matches, DeNunzio won one bout.
"It was a real tough tournament and a tough weight class," DeNunzio said. "There were some four-time state champions from other states who didn't even place."
Casey Schreiber, a teammate of DeNunzio's, went 1-2 at 135. The wrestlers were among 15 from Florida who qualified for the tournament. No other wrestler from the state placed in the top eight.
Despite the setback, DeNunzio reaped accolades for his successful season. The National High School Coaches Association, which sponsors the Senior National Tournament, selected DeNunzio and teammate Wes Walker to the Academic All-American wrestling team.
DeNunzio was accepted to Harvard and will wrestle there in the fall. Walker is a junior. They will wrestle freestyle at the Southeast Regionals in New Orleans April 23-24.
