Fundy takes first steps back in wrestling
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Beth-Center’s Dominic Fundy prepares to turn Upper St. Clair’s Harvey Rauch on his back before scoring an 11-8 victory in the 195-pound weight class during Saturday’s Chartiers-Houston Wrestling Tournament.
Beth-Center's Dominic Fundy wrestles Upper St. Clair's Harvey Rauch during Saturday's Chartiers-Houston Wrestling Tournament.
Dom Fundy knew coming back to wrestling after severely injuring his thumb in January was going to be a tough task.
How tough?
The senior from Beth-Center High School found out Saturday afternoon in the 195-pound finals of the Chartiers-Houston Wrestling Tournament.
Fundy gutted out an 11-8 decision over Harvey Rauch of Upper St. Clair.
After the whistle, an exhausted Fundy staggered over to his corner and deposited some of those guts in a waste bucket.
“I have forgotten how much it takes, conditioning-wise, to compete,” Fundy said. “You can’t understand it unless you’ve wrestled. I can’t even explain it.”
But this was an important first step to what could be a PIAA Class AA title journey. Fundy understands just how far along he is in the process and what he needs to do to get his conditioning back to championship level.
Fundy appeared ready to make that run last year after finishing second in the state in the Class AA 182-pound weight class as a sophomore.
But he injured his right thumb in a tournament held the weekend before the postseason. The hand was placed in a cast and he could not do any meaningful wrestling activities for months. It was a devastating emotional blow.
“I had to keep a positive side to not participating in the state tournament,” he said. “Obviously, I was disappointed. I still had one more year left. I’m glad it happened in my junior year and not my senior year. I’m going to give it all I got this year and whatever happens, happens.”
Fundy’s first athletic activity was football. He is a standout running back for the Bulldogs and will decide on his college – and sport – when the wrestling season ends.
All through the football season, Gary Welsh held his breath. Welsh not only serves as B-C’s head coach but is an assistant football coach for the Bulldogs.
“It was so tough when Dom got hurt last season,” Welsh said. “We all felt for him, and not only just for him but what he brought to the team. It’s tough to do without a Dominick Fundy in the room.
“He took it in stride and I’m glad he handled it the way he did. We’re thankful it happened during his junior year. I think it refocused him and gave him a little more urgency coming into his senior year.”
Fundy finished with a 29-2 record last season and has a 107-14 career mark. He is picked No. 1 in his weight class in the preseason rankings.
“I wanted to get back into the swing of things (with this tournament), get some conditioning,” he said. “I’m glad (Rauch) pushed me. He’s a great wrestler and I’mm looking forward to seeing him again.”