Shaler's Brooks Blasko looking to carve his own piece of wrestling history

Brooks Blasko has the benefit of having two people who left a legacy in wrestling to help guide his career.

Blasko, who is 13 and a seventh grader at Shaler Area Middle School, was inspired to start wrestling at age 6 by his grandfather “Jumpin” Johnny DeFazio, who wrestled professionally with the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Blasko also regularly trains with Ryan Sullivan, who won a state championship at Shaler before wrestling in college for Pitt before transferring to West Virginia.

With that foundation in place, Blasko is aiming to try and carve out his own piece of history.

Blasko placed fifth in the 87-pound weight class recently at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championships. The year before, Blasko had finished third.

Blasko was one of three Shaler wrestlers who qualified for the tournament. Anthony Jones placed eighth at 77 pounds, while Jonah Cable won two matches at 112 pounds, but didn’t reach the medal stand.

Blasko said he knew the competition at the event would be fierce.

“Every kid I wrestled was tough,” Blasko said. “You have to wrestle as hard as you can every match.”

Having a grasp on history is something Blasko takes seriously. Sullivan was the last Shaler wrestler to win a state title at the high school and middle school level.

It’s a thought Blasko has when he looks at the wall in the wrestling room.

“It’s awesome,” Blasko said. “Just looking up on the wall, you can see all the state champs that have been through here.”

DeFazio wasn’t one of the Titans’ state champions, but would make his mark on the professional circuit. DeFazio, who died in 2021, rose to fame on “Studio Wrestling,” which was hosted by “Chilly” Bill Cardille in the Pittsburgh area.

DeFazio would become a four-time winner of the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship. He was also part of a stable of wrestlers featuring Bruno Sammartino and George “The Animal” Steele.

After wrestling, DeFazio would be elected to the Allegheny City Council and serve as its first president. While Blasko can’t use professional moves on the mat, seeing it drove his interest in wrestling in general.

“I watched a few of his matches, and it made me want to wrestle so badly,” Blasko said. “It was like WWE. I can’t take anything from what he did, but it made me want to wrestle.”

Blasko, who describes himself as a more technical wrestler, is hoping to increase his practice time to get on top of the podium next season. Blasko practices four days a week and goes to club practices in addition to wrestling for Shaler.

When this time next year comes around, Blasko is excited for one more shot at a title. He likes the environment at the 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial.

Much like two of his inspirations, Blasko likes being on a bigger stage where the lights shine a little brighter.

“I love competing there,” Blasko said. “It’s a huge arena. It’s fun with your family watching you, you want to wrestle better.”