Nino Bonaccorsi Earns Major Decision Win for USA at Dream Team Dual
ELMHURST, IL – Pennsylvania wrestler Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) was one of two wrestlers from the Keystone State selected to compete for Team USA at the 2017 Cliff Keen Dream Team Classic Dual. The 2-time Pennsylvania State Runner-up was joined by 2-time PIAA State Champion Brian Courtney (Athens Area).
For Bonaccorsi it was his second All-Star team selection following his career at Bethel Park as the PITT recruit competed for Team Pennsylvania in the historic Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic last month. In that match Nino secured a major decision over 4-time West Virginia State Champion Jacob Hart. Entering the All-Star dual against Team Illinois Bonaccorsi was ranked #3 in the Nation by both Intermat and Flo at 182 lbs.
His opponent from the Illinois Dream Team was Carbondale High School senior Cameron Caffey who won an Illinois State Championship in 2017. Caffey ended his career with a record of (156-25) including an undefeated senior season (41-0) en route to his first State Championship at 182 lbs.
When the two squared off it was all Bonaccorsi who dominated from his feet to pick up a (15-6) major decision win over Caffey, putting four points on the board for Team USA.
It was not the only major decision of the All-Star Dual. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania Athens Area senior Brian Courtney was outmatched by Illinois’ Jason Renteria of Oak Park-River Forest High School. Courtney, a 2-time Pennsylvania State Champion, also competed for Team Pennsylvania at the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. In that match the University of Virginia recruit fell to recently awarded Intermat High School Wrestler of the Year Vito Arujau (New York) by major decision.
This time competing for Team USA Courtney ran into 2-time Illinois State Champion and 4-time State Finalist Jason Renteria. Hailing from the Chicago’s successful program Oak Park- River Forest, Jason Renteria dominated Courtney in a (13-5) major decision victory. Renteria, who originally committed to Iowa, will attend Nebraska next season.
Overall the USA Dream Team won (29-20) over the Illinois Dream Team. Full results can be found on TrackWrestling.