By RICK FORTENBAUGH
HOLLAND, Pa. - When Josh Dziewa won the 135-pound weight class at Junior Nationals in North Dakota over the summer, he did a lot more than capture a title at the most prestigious high-school level wrestling tournament in the country.
What the Council Rock South High School senior also did was make a dream come true by landing a scholarship to the most accomplished collegiate wrestling program in history.
That program, of course, is the University of Iowa, which has won the past two national championships and a staggering 22 overall.
How dominant has Iowa been in wrestling? Consider Sports Illustrated named the Hawkeye program one of the top sports dynasties of the 20th century.
For a high school wrestler, it simply doesn’t get any bigger than this. And as Dziewa prepares for his final high school season and an assault on a PIAA Class AAA State Championship in Hershey, the Iowa scholarship represents the fulfillment of an ultimate goal from a scholastic career that has known more its share of detours.
For those who might not be aware, Dziewa was forced to sit out last season after transferring from Pennsbury to Council Rock South. There was a much-publicized lawsuit along the way, but that’s old news at this point and need not be rehashed here.
All that matters is Dziewa was able to officially accept his scholarship on Wednesday and will shortly be part of a program that is renowned for its legendary work ethic.
“It’s a lifelong dream come true for me,’’ said Dziewa. “The tradition there is unbelievable. Plus, my family is Iowa Hawkeye fans. It’s been a part of me all my life.’’
So has competitive wrestling. Dziewa got his start as a 4-year-old, and his father John was a state qualifier for Pennsbury.
“I remember those early days,’’ Dziewa fondly recalled. “My dad used to get a bunch of kids together. We’d wrestle in our garage.’’
It wasn’t long before the wins started coming. His current high school record is 91-6. And if he hadn’t missed an entire season, he might very well be on course to finish as one of the all-time winningest wrestlers in Pennsylvania history.
It also didn’t take long for Dziewa to make an impact on the national level. Dziewa placed in the top five at Cadet Nationals in both freestyle and Greco before really striking it rich by winning Junior Nationals. Keep in mind most Junior National titles are won by wrestlers after their senior year in high school.
“I like Greco, but doing both was too much,’’ said Dziewa. “If you’re not standing on the top of the podium at the end of Greco Nationals, it means somebody probably dropped you on your head. That really takes its toll on you when you’re wrestling freestyle as well.’’
When asked to identify his strengths in wrestling,’’ Dziewa was quick to point out it’s on the mat.
“I like scoring points,’’ he said. “My half (nelson) is one of my favorite moves. Not too many people can hold me down either. I have a physical side to me.’’
Dziewa was disappointed he didn’t place at PIAA states in his freshman and sophomore years at Pennsbury, but by winning a national title, he has clearly taken it up to a whole different level. Not surprisingly, he can’t wait to get his senior year started.
“I feel real good; I’m ready to go,’’ said Dziewa, who is an absolute hammer in the top position. “I’ll be wrestling at 135. I have no idea who is going to be there, but I don’t care. If I do what I’m supposed to do, everything will take of itself.’’
“At Junior Nationals I lost a match, but was able to come back. I think I’ve matured a lot in that way.’’
Dziewa was originally contemplating scholarship offers from schools like Rutgers, Virginia Tech and Nebraska, but all of that changed when he prevailed at nationals.
A couple of weeks later Iowa made an offer, and it didn’t take long for Dziewa to verbally commit to a program that has won the last two national championships and an incredible 22 overall.
“It’s very exciting,’’ said Dziewa, who said he projects as a 141-pounder on the collegiate level. “Iowa gets 11,000 people for their matches; they get 7,000 just to watch their wrestle-offs.
“I watched one of their practices while I was out there, and it was like everyone was getting ready for an NCAA final. Iowa does everything right.’’
The Iowa coaching staff is headed up Tom Brands. All he did was win an Olympic gold medal and three NCAA titles.
Also still very much in the Iowa picture is the fabled Dan Gable, who forever earned a place in wrestling lore by not giving up a single point at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Gable isn’t officially on the Hawkeye staff, but he still has a lot of input on a program he guided to 15 nationals titles.
“I haven’t actually met Gable,’’ said Dziewa. “What happened was my plane was delayed and I got there one day late when he wasn’t around. I’m really looking forward to meeting him as well.’’
Council Rock South will open its season at the Ironman in Ohio in the first week of December. Just like Junior Nationals, nearly all the big guns will be there.
“I’m not going to be intimidated at all because I’ve already beaten most of those guys,’’ said Dziewa, “Now it’s them coming after me.’’
Just like the University of Iowa came after Dziewa.
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