Teasdale honored by National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Gavin Teasdale, a four-time PIAA wrestling champion from Jefferson-Morgan High School, was named the Pennsylvania winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The DSHSEA recognizes the nation’s most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. Teasdale was one of 50 honorees – one was chosen for each state – awarded.
The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has a female version of the award, called the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, which will be announced next week.
Teasdale capped an amazing run in the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Championship with his fourth gold-medal winning performance after a 2-0 decision over Joshua Jones of Saucon Valley in the 126-pound finals. Teasdale became only the 13th wrestler in tournament history to win four titles. Teasdale finished the season with a 40-2 record and a school-record of 160-2.
Regional winners are selected from state winners, and the national winner will be chosen from the regional winners.
The national winner will be presented with his award during the 42nd annual Honors Weekend at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum June 1-2 in Stillwater, Okla.