Prep wrestler continues amazing transformation with state tourney appearance
When Konrad Dudziak arrived at tryouts for the St. Peter’s Prep wrestling team two years ago, he had never even attempted the sport before.
"When Konrad walked in, he couldn’t even tie his shoes," Prep wrestling coach Anthony Verdi said. "In fact, he didn’t even know what wrestling shoes were. He had no idea what he was doing. He had some tools, with some natural strength, ability and mat sense, but he had no clue."
Dudziak’s lack of wrestling knowledge was proven when he was thrown out on to the mat as a freshman. He wrestled six matches – and lost all six.
"We knew it was going to be tough for him, because we threw him into the fire and he wasn’t really prepared," Verdi said. "But I knew that Konrad would be tough out there. He didn’t know anything, but he held his own."
Verdi was impressed that Dudziak remained off his back and away from a pin during those first six matches.
"When his sophomore season began, I knew that he was going to be competitive," Verdi said. "I knew he was ready."
But no one could have ever dreamed what would transpire just a year after Dudziak first stepped on the mat. Dudziak shocked the New Jersey wrestling world a year ago when he finished in the seventh/eighth position at the NJSIAA state tournament at 189 pounds – even after finishing third in both the District 16 and Region 4 tournaments.
In just one year, Dudziak went from a winless wrestler to a state place finisher.
"It’s incredible," Verdi said. "There are kids who have been wrestling since they were five years old who don’t get a chance to place at the states. Konrad did it in basically a year. When you consider where he was when he came to us to where he developed to, by far, it’s an amazing story. You can’t even dream things like that."
Dudziak never has thought of himself of doing something spectacular.
"Everyone says that I’ve been able to do something great," Dudziak said. "I usually don’t think about it. When I tell people that I’ve only been wrestling for three years, they’re really amazed. But I honestly never give it a thought."
Dudziak began the 2002-2003 season where he left off from a year ago. More experienced, more determined, Dudziak had to deal with the stigma of being a returning state place finisher.
"There’s a lot more pressure on him this year," Verdi said. "He had to live up to the reputation. Konrad’s an intelligent wrestler now. He knows what he’s doing out there. He’s methodical and sets things up now. He wants to get better and has learned from his past mistakes."
Two weeks ago, Dudziak took the District 16 championship he won the week prior, along with his 27-1 record, and put them on the line at the Region 4 tournament at Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls.
Dudziak won his first two matches, which enabled him to reach the Region finals, where a familiar foe, Vinny Abbott of Kearny, awaited. Dudziak and Abbott had locked horns several times prior, including three times in the last two weeks, including the District 16 finals.
"It’s hard to wrestle the same guy so many times," Verdi said. "After a while, you start getting used to each other’s style. Abbott definitely did his homework and sort of neutralized things. But Konrad wrestled his best and was more aggressive."
The result was an 8-7 victory that gave Dudziak the Region 4 189-pound championship and a return trip to the NJSIAA state tournament last weekend in Atlantic City.
Dudziak finished eighth at the state championships, becoming the first St. Peter’s Prep wrestler to place at the state tournament in consecutive years.
For his efforts, Dudziak has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Dudziak’s season ended with a 32-4 record, just missing the school record for wins in a season set by Dave Ilaria, who just won a national championship for The College of New Jesrey two weeks ago.
Still, he’s proud of what he has accomplished, not just for this year, but throughout his remarkable career.
"It was a pretty good season, ending in the same place I was last year," Dudziak said. "Some things you just can’t control. It’s a pretty good feeling, being a place finisher in each of the last two years. But I’m definitely hungry and want to move past what I’ve already done. I’m glad I have another year left. I want to go as far as possible."
Added Dudziak, "This was a good year, because I definitely think I put my name on the state map."
Perhaps next year, Dudziak’s name can be crowned on that map with a state championship attached to it. – Jim Hague