119 Chris Rodrigues

RODRIGUES A CLASSIC PERFORMER

 

PITTSBURGH – Christopher Rodrigues, a three-time state champion from The Walker School in Marietta, Ga., has been selected to participate on the United States team in the 26^th annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic scheduled for Saturday March 25 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House.

He will compete at 119 pounds.

In addition to his three Georgia state titles, Rodrigues is a four-time Southeast Freestyle and Greco Roman champion and a five-time AAU Grand National champion. He is a 1999 Junior Freestyle National champion at 114.5 pounds and also was named the outstanding wrestler.

Rodrigues is a two-time prep high school national champion and placed fifth in the World youth Games in Moscow, Russia. He was second at the Cadet National and a two-time AAU Iron Man champion.

He also placed third in the West Virginia Open – a collegiate tournament – this year.

As a freshman he won the 103-pound state title with a 40-0 record and 29 pins. As a sophomore, Rodrigues won the 112-pound state title with a 43-1 record and 31 pins, and he went 24-0 as a junior, winning the 119-pound Georgia crown.

The Dapper Dan Classic, partially funded by UPMC Health System, benefits the boys and girls club 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 (Western Pennsylvania) stars going against Nebraska’s best at 5:30 p.m. The main event – Pennsylvania versus USA will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Pennsylvania leads the series 14-10-1.

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