Dunning was a four year starter at catcher for the Quincy University Hawks and was considered one of the top defensive catchers in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. He earned Third Team All-Conference honors as a junior and led the conference in caught stealing, throwing out 23 runners that year.  In addition Dunning provided an offensive attack at the plate finishing his career with a .272 batting average and 16 home runs with 99 runs batted in. He had a career year as a junior when he hit .306 with 10 home runs and 31 runs batted in.  Dunning, from Trenton, Illinois and Wesclin High School, was a three time Academic All-Conference performer and is currently pursuing his Master's degree.