The Pitt Panthers wrestling team has been a thriving team since back in the 1950s. From then to now, modern day 2013, the Pitt organization has come a long way with many individual and team titles.
In the NCAAs, only 10 top wrestlers are allowed to come away from the national tournament with a title.
Pitt has 16 individual National Champions: Hugh Peery (1952, ’53, and ’54 at 115 lbs.), Joe Solomon (1954 at 167 lbs.), Ed DeWitt (1956 at 167 lbs.), Ed Peery (1955, ’56, and ’57 at 123 lbs.), Tom Alberts (1957 at 167 lbs.), Ron Schirf (1957 at 191 lbs.), Paul Powell (1958 at 123 lbs.), Larry Lauche (1961 at 130 lbs.), Jim Harrison (1963 at 167 lbs.), Pat Santoro (1988 and 1989 at 142 lbs.), and Keith Gavin (2008 at 174 lbs.).
Along with all the National Champions, comes even more tough wrestlers battling back to become All-Americans. The Pitt roster has had a total of 74 All-Americans.
Individual EWL Champs include: Rande Stottlemeyer, Bil Bailey, Skip Bolin, Mark Steoanovich, Glenn Maxwell, Doug Haines, Jeff Jelic, Gary Bolin, Pat Santoro, Alan Utter, Jeff Turner, Scott Hovan, Rich Catalono, J.J. Fasnaught, Patt Wiltanger, Rob Loper, Nick Mengerink, Chad Jesko, Mike Ziska, Shawn Amistade, Carl Fronhofer, Josh Birt, Ron Tarquinio, Matt Kocher, Zach Sheaffer, Justin Nestor, Keith Gvain, Drew Headlee, Jimmy Conroy, Tyler Nauman, Matt Wilps, Ryan Tomei, Dance Johnson, Ethan Headlee, Zac Thomusseit, Anthony Zanetta, Nick Bonaccorsi, and Max Thomusseit.
Pitt performs well as a team, just as they do individually. Pitt has been in the NCAA tournament for many years, and have always placed and wrestled well.
At the National tournament, Pitt holds the following stats: Best Team Finish: 2nd place (1954 and ’57), Most Team Points: (1957), Most Consecutive Years with a Semi-finalist: 10 (1951-1961), Most NCAA Champs in a year: 3 (Peery, Albert, Schirf), and Highest Individual Finish: 1st place (16 NCAA Champions). Pitt is also a 3x EWL tournament champion and 3x EWL dual tournament champion.
According to InterMat Wrestling, the Panthers are currently ranked 22 in the NCAAs, with a total of 17 points.
Pitt currently has many nationally ranked wrestlers as well. Anthony Zanetta, Shelton Mack, Tyler Wilps, Max Thomusseit, and Nick Bonaccorsi are in the top 20 rankings in their respective weight classes.
Pitt is a well-rounded and strong wrestling team. They perform well in every aspect of the tournament, whether it be individually or team related. Pitt has been working hard, and gaining victories for many years, and hopefully more to come.