Jeff Dunasky Jr. credits two things for his success in wrestling: Discipline and work ethic.
Both of those traits helped Dunasky to an incredible career for Guerin Catholic. It has led him to many championships and awards, including being named the Guerin Catholic Male Athlete of the Year for the 2019-2020 season.
Dunasky, a three-time semi-state qualifier and four-time regional qualifier for the Golden Eagles, is the first wrestler to receive the award.
“Simply put, Jeff is one of the best to ever walk the halls at Guerin Catholic,” said GC athletic director Ryan Davis. “In so many ways, he has set the bar for all wrestlers to reach. As great as his wrestling accomplishments were, his time in the classroom, the hallways and interactions with others will always define Jeff. He’s a student-athlete full of faith, high character and tons of ability and that’s how we will remember him. We will miss Jeff but Guerin Catholic is better because he was a part of it.”
Dunasky began has high school wrestling career as a freshman at 132 pounds. He joined the Golden Eagles at the Elwood sectional that year, where he placed fourth to earn a spot at the Pendleton Heights regional.
“It was exciting, exhilarating,” said Dunasky. “But also terrifying.”
Dunasky was one of three Guerin Catholic wrestlers that year to advance to the regional. He wound up drawing the eventual state champion in his first regional match. Even though his first regional ended quickly, it began a streak of making it to regional all four years of high school.
“It was scary, as a freshman wrestling varsity,” said Dunasky. But it set his successful career in motion, as it proved he could stand up to the older wresters.
“It’s something I can remember fondly, wrestling these huge seniors and going out there trying to do my best to score points,” said Dunasky.
In his sophomore year, Dunasky moved up to 145 pounds and stayed at that weight class for the next three seasons. He returned to the Elwood sectional and won the championship, getting major decision victories in the semi-finals and final.
“Seeing your improvement over the year from fourth to first and seeing my record go up is always a confidence boost,” said Dunasky.
That was the start of three straight 145-pound sectional championships for Dunasky. He would also qualify for the semi-state all three years, culminating with a regional championship win as a 145-pound senior.
Dunasky finished his career for the Golden Eagles with a 122-33 record, the most wins of any GC wrestler in history. He is the all-time leader in takedowns, near falls and winning percentage. In addition to his sectional and regional titles, Dunasky also won Hamilton County and Circle City Conference championships during his career. He also was named Academic All-State during his junior and senior seasons.
“It feels like I did something to better the program,” said Dunasky. “I gave other wrestlers something to aspire to. Set a bar for them to compete at their best ability. The accomplishments that I have I think will help the program set a baseline for how athletes at Guerin can compete.”
And there’s no secret to how Dunasky achieved those accomplishments.
“It comes down to discipline and work ethic,” he said. “You have to know that when you come home from school, you don’t have time to mess around. You go right to it; you don’t lounge around. It’s keeping your priorities straight. When you want the results that I wanted, you live a certain lifestyle, no matter the sacrifices.”
Dunasky has also traveled around the state and the country in order to find opponents to compete against or new practice partners. He also went to the annual national tournament in Fargo, N.D.
“I’ve competed with coaches from many different high schools,” said Dunasky. It’s a matter of putting yourself out there and trying to get results. My coach (Andy Fleenor) and I would always travel to off-season tournaments. He’s always been in my corner. He was along for the ride just as much as I was.”
“I’m extremely proud of the hard work Jeff put into getting better every day,” said Fleenor. “Whether it was running, lifting or getting into a wrestling room, he was doing something every day to make himself better to reach his goals. He leaves Guerin Catholic as the most decorated wrestler in history, leaving behind a standard of expectations and paving a path for what it takes to be a successful wrestler.”
Dunasky is now headed to Purdue University, where he will try to walk on to the wrestling team there.
“I haven’t been recruited, so I’m going to have to prove myself once again,” said Dunasky. “It’s another step in proving my worth.”