Feb 14, 2018 2 min read

The first whistle hasn’t blown in the wrestling individual postseason, but a key loss has already been recorded.

Dominic Fundy, a junior from Beth-Center sustained multiple injuries to his hand during a triangular meet with Moon and Peters Township over the weekend and will miss the postseason.

Fundy was a PIAA runner-up last year at 182 pounds, losing his only match of the season to Cody Mulligan of Saegertown, 6-0, in the finals in Hershey.

“It’s been very tough (for him),” said Beth-Center head coach Gary Welsh.

“He’s still here, supporting his teammates, coming to practices. I think it’s going to hit him when he’s at the tournament, seeing the guys out there. He’s trying to stay positive.”

Fundy won region, WPIAL and section titles last season.

“This is his first major injury, knock on wood,” said Welsh. “He plays football, a running back, and there is always wear and tear on your body.”

Welsh said Fundy’s doctor said further damage could occur if he attempted to wrestle with the injury.

“The probability of it becoming worse was high,” said Welsh. “He fractured the thumb and damaged the ligaments that connects to the hand. He’ll be in a cast for a month and a half to two months.”

Fundy, ranked No. 1 at 182 pounds in the Observer-Reporter Wrestling Rankings, has a 29-2 record. His only losses are to Tim Wallace of Albert Gallatin in the finals of the Tri-CADA Tournament and Chris Sequete of Butler in the semifinals of the Southmoreland Tournament.

“It was emotional. The team feels for him,” said Welsh. “They know what his goals are and realistically what he can achieve. If there is a silver lining, thank God it’s in his junior season. He has another year to achieve his dreams.”

The section and WPIAL tournaments – both one-day events – will be held at Canon-McMillan High School over the weekend. The three section tournaments will be held Friday. The WPIAL Class AA Championships begin Saturday.

Class AAA wrestlers have the week off.