Dave DiSora ’89
Career Record: 90-24-7
Tournament Championships: Manheim, Crestwood Invitational
College: East Stroudsburg (NCAA Qualifier)
1989 – 140 lbs.: District Champ, Regional Runner-Up, State Third (36-2)
1988 – 119 lbs.: District Runner-Up (22-9-2)
1987 – 105 lbs.: District Fourth (15-6-4)
1986 – 105 lbs.: (17-7-1)
Dave DiSora helped lead Easton to a state runner-up finish at the 1989 state tournament as one of four bronze medalists, then went on to an incredibly successful Division I career at East Stroudsburg.
DiSora broke into the lineup as a freshman, earning a fourth place finish at the Crestwood Mountain Top tournament to start his career. He cut from 112 to 105 in January and went 11-4-1 down the stretch at his new weight, including hammering future New Jersey state finalist Kevin Dilts (Phillipsburg) 12-1 in a win over the Stateliners. At the District 11 tournament, DiSora won his first match by fall before losing to state finalist Dan McIntyre (Liberty) and losing his first consolation match to end a successful freshman season.
An injury cost DiSora the early part of his sophomore year, but he came back in January to whip Kevin McKeon (Emmaus) at 119 in his first match back in the lineup. He entered the D11 tournament after a 12-4-4 regular season with wins over future state medalists Brian Cuddy (Liberty) and Bill Zeamer (Manheim Central). At the D11 tournament, he opened by beating Don Suranofsky (Northampton) and Mike Transue (Stroudsburg) before falling in semifinals to returning D11 champ Glenn Kepic (Emmaus). He recovered to win his first wrestle back. In the bronze medal match, DiSora and Jay Locher (Nazareth) were tied at 1 at the end of regulation. Locher scored a takedown in overtime, and DiSora was only able to muster an escape and fell 1-1, 2-1 to end his season a win short of regionals.
As a junior, DiSora hit a growth spurt and moved all the way up to 132 pounds. He opened the season with a fabulous showing at the Crestwood Mountain Top Invitational, bonusing his way to finals before an 8-7 loss to finish second. He defeated future state champion Dave Persing (Shikellamy) in Easton’s dismantling of the Braves in a dual, 40-9. In the D11 tournament, DiSora dropped to 119 pounds and cruised into the semifinals without giving up an offensive point. In semis, he matched up with two-time state finalist Tom Koch (Saucon Valley) and the two battled in the best match of the round, going 1-1 through regulation then throwing haymakers at each other, with DiSora scoring a pair of takedowns to take overtime 5-3. In the finals, DiSora fell to Ed Youwakim (Northampton) to finish as the District runner-up. At Northeast Regionals, DiSora won his opening bout before falling to Chris Derr (Shikellamy) in quarters. He lost his first wrestleback to end his junior season.
As a senior, DiSora made another leap and was one of the best wrestlers in Pennsylvania. He opened the season by winning 145 pounds at the Crestwood Mountain Top Invitational then dismantling D11 contender Jason Jenkins (William Allen) in their first dual and beating state medalist Ross Nunamaker (Nazareth) in their annual December match up with teh Blue Eagles. He won Manheim, beating returning South East Regional champ Russ Stankina (Methacton) in semis. He posted bonus point wins in duals with state powers North Allegheny, Northampton, and Shikellamy. He majored New Jersey regional champ Joe Shimko (Phillipsburg) to finish the regular season undefeated. He dominated his first two D11 tournament bouts with a pin and a tech fall. In semis, he was pushed by Mike Evans (Liberty), who took DiSora to overtime before DiSora took him down to his back and pinned him. He kept the momentum rolling to major future state finalist and NCAA qualifier Dan Madson (Nazareth) to complete an all bonus point run through the tournament. He kept the bonus point streak going in the Northeast Regionals, pinning his way to the finals. He finally met his match there, losing to four-time state finalist and eventual state champion Tom Best (Williamsport), 12-6. At the state tournament, DiSora opened with a pin of Brent Lykens (Clearfield) and won a second match with Stankina (Methacton) to become the second of three Easton semifinalists. Minutes after Easton star Moss Grays was stunned with a headlock, DiSora wrestled flustered and gave up an early set of backpoints in a loss to Brian Campbell (Pottstown). On the back side, DiSora majored future Lehigh captain Steve Cassidy (Plum) and took Sam Mantegna (Chichester) down four times to earn one of four Easton bronze medals in the tournament. The Red Rovers finished second to national #1 North Allegheny.
After Easton, DiSora wrestled at East Stroudsburg, where he is tied with fellow Easton alum Greg Shoemaker for fifth in Warrior history with 94 wins. He was an NCAA qualifier at 150 pounds in 1994.
History of Easton Wrestling 