PIAA Medalist #70 Dallas Bulsak Commits to Pitt

Dallas Bulsak felt right at home at the University of Pittsburgh, so there was no need for the South Park senior to look any farther.

“I was just most comfortable there,” Bulsak told PA Power Wrestling on Monday, a day after announcing that he would join coach Jason Peters’ Panthers. “I thought that’s where I could be the best wrestler.”

Bulsak, who finished eighth in PIAA State Class AA Tournament last season, said that Pitt’s addition of Tyler Nauman to the coaching staff helped make his decision even easier. Nauman, who has coached at South Park in addition to his role with Team Nauman Wrestling Club, will serve as a volunteer assistant at Pitt.

“That was probably a big factor,” Bulsak said. “Nauman has been coaching me for two years now, and he’s a really good coach.”

Nauman’s presence wasn’t the only draw, however.

“I really liked all of the wrestlers on the team, the coaches, and I loved the campus,” said Bulsak, who plans to major in criminal justice. “They have a young group of guys that I think will be doing good things in the next couple of years.”

Bulsak, the #70 ranked recruit from PA of the Class of 2017, picked Pitt over Clarion, Lock Haven and Kent State. His cousin, Greg Bulsak, a two-time PIAA State Champion, is a freshman at Clarion, but Dallas Bulsak believed Pitt was a better fit for him.

After going 36-13 as a junior, Bulsak now has a career record of 78-25. He was a state qualifier as a freshman but lost most of his sophomore season to an elbow injury.

Bulsak expects to be back at 138 pounds this season and said he anticipates wrestling 141 in college.

Keystone Oaks graduate Nick Zanetta manned the 141-spot the past two seasons for the Panthers and will be a senior when Bulsak is a freshman.

“I don’t know if that means I’ll redshirt or not. We’ll see,” Bulsak said. “If I’m good enough to beat him, I’d love to wrestle.”

Bulsak plans to compete in the Super 32 tournament next month in Greensboro, N.C., and he’s got his sights set on a PIAA title in March.

“I’ve had the same goal for a long time now. I’m really trying to make it happen now,” he said.