Mar 29, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

Elijah Brown entered Saturday’s bout in the 52nd edition of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic at Peters Township High School’s AHN Arena without an ounce of apprehension.

The Belle Vernon senior, who will continue his academic and wrestling careers at Penn State, was up against his toughest competition of the year in Arizona State commit Kal-El Fluckiger of Chandler, Ariz., in the main event at 215 pounds, but Brown didn’t let Fluckiger’s reputation affect his performance in earning a 15-0 technical fall in 1:12.

Fluckiger, who represented the United States All-Stars, was ranked seventh in the country by FloWrestling at 215, while Flo had Brown at No. 16. Fluckiger won the Super 32 championship with a fall in the finals against DuBois Kendahl Hoare, who handed Brown his only setback this season.

It should be noted Brown avenged his loss to Hoare, but Fluckiger was most likely considered the favorite.

Brown didn’t seem to care, as he used a double leg five seconds into the first period, and followed up with three tilts in the next 67 seconds for the victory that pulled the Pennsylvania All-Stars within nine of Team USA at 23-14.

Dean Bechtold of Owen J. Roberts followed Brown with another technical fall for the home team, but it wasn’t enough as Team USA earned a 23-19 victory, which was its fifth consecutive win in the main event of the Classic, and the 13th in 14 years.

Brown enjoyed the atmosphere and was happy to perform at his highest level against someone he may wrestle in college.

“I think when I competed at states and some of the other bigger tournaments, I was a little bit conservative in my approach,” Brown said. “I could have probably blown those matches out, but I wanted to be cautious due to the significance of them. I didn’t have any pressure at the Classic. I wrestle my best when I just go out there and have fun. Once I get to that point, subconsciously, it will make me really tough to beat.”

Brown finished his high school career at 173-20 with two state championships.

In addition to victories by Brown and Bechtold, the Keystone State had three other individual winners in the main event in Will Detar, Keanu Dillard and Adam Waters.

In a No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle at 189, Waters, of Faith Christian Academy, scored a takedown with one minute remaining for a two-point lead before hanging for an 8-7 decision over Michael White, who was ranked first in the country by Flo.

Detar earned a 4-1 decision in sudden victory at 127, and Dillard won in double overtime, 5-1, at 133.

While the Pennsylvania All-Stars came up short, Team WPIAL dominated the Oklahoma All-Stars, 56-3, in the second dual meet of the event.

Beth-Center’s Malachi Peak and Frazier’s Jonah Erdely won their matches decisively.

Peak earned a fall in 5:19 after building up a 7-2 advantage at 189.

Erdely exploded in the second period with 12 points to win by technical fall, 15-0, in four minutes at 152.

“It felt great to not only get selected for the Classic, but also to go out there and get the job done,” Erdely said. “I always go out and try to have fun, which I do because I love to wrestle, but there are times when the pressure gets to you, especially in the postseason, but that doesn’t really happen in the Classic because it is just an event to showcase your skills.”

Peak, who attends school at California but wrestles for the Bulldogs as part of a co-op, will continue his academic and wrestling careers at Washington & Jefferson College.

Erdely, who was the third Commodore to be selected for the Classic after Thayne (event wasn’t held due to COVID-19 pandemic) and Rune Lawrence, will continue his wrestling career and study at Seton Hill University.

“It was an honor to be the third wrestler from Frazier selected to the Classic,” Erdely said. “I am excited to compete in college, but I will probably compete in the Virginia Beach Duals, which is a great time.”

The WPIAL All-Stars didn’t have any trouble in winning 11 of 12 individual bouts.

Burell’s Julian Bertucci (145), Central Valley’s Antonio Boni (133) and Canon-McMillan’s Collier Hartman (139) won by fall.

The Buccaneers’ Cam Baker won by technical fall, 18-2, in 5:04 at 121. Thomas Jefferson’s Zach LaBryer (172), Kiski Area’s Cooper Roscosky (215) and North Allegheny’s Bradyn McConneha (285) also all earned five points for their team with technical falls.

Butler’s Santino Slaboda won the major decision, 12-1, at 127.

McGuffey’s Lucas Barr escaped in the third period and hung on for a 5-4 decision at 133. There were two bouts at 133.

In the first dual meet of the event, Team Pennsylvania hammered Team Oklahoma, 51-3, in women’s action.

Team Pennsylvania won four bouts by fall, as Zoe Furman (136), Ava Golding (142), Olivya Kroope (155) and Caroline Hattala (190) pinned their opponents. Mai Graham (124) and Paige Jox (148) won by technical fall for the home team.

Julia Horger (106) and Julissa Ortiz (130) won by major decision. Ashley Stank (100), Lillian Rumsey (118) and Brenda Banks (235) earned decisions for Team Pennsylvania.

In a women’s bout featuring representatives from Pennsylvania and the United States, Bryce Snyder earned a 4-0 decision for Team Pennsylvania over Elizabeth Madison at 170.