The NCAA wrestling championships took place two weekends ago. The whole tournament was covered by ESPN Sports, which made it very easy for non-travelers to experience the highest level of folkstyle wrestling in the world.
Following the ACC Championships, qualified wrestlers got to travel to Oklahoma and compete to become an All-American. The Pitt Panthers only had 1 wrestler become an All-American, Tyler Wilps. Wilps took 7th place at the tournament, at 174 lbs.
At 125 lbs., Anthony Zanetta won his first match against Conor Youtsey by Fall in 3:44. Zanetta faced the number 2 seed his next match, Nashon Garrett from Cornell, who ultimately was the runner-up. Zanetta lost the match 6-0. Zanetta went on to defeat Paul Petrov from Bucknell, and then Kory Mines from Edinboro. Zanetta lost his next match to Earl Hall from ISU. Zanetta was one win shy of All-American honors.
At 133lbs., Shelton Mack had the number 3 seed his first match, Tony Ramos. Mack lost the match 3-1 to the future NCAA Champion. Mack then lost his next match to John Morrison from Oklahoma State 3-0.
At 141 lbs., freshman Edgar Bright won his first match against Tyler Scotton from BU 3-1. Bright lost his next match to Zain Retherford 3-0. Bright lost his last match to Josh Dziewa from Iowa 8-3.
At 149 lbs., also a freshman, Mikey Racciato lost to the number 3 seed Chris Villalonga 5-2. Racciato then went on to lose his next match to Rylan Lubeck from Wisconsin 12-3.
At 174 lbs., Tyler Wilps had a great tournament. Wilps won his first match against Bradley Wuki from Penn 4-2. Wilps won his next match to Mike Ottinger 6-2. Wilps lost his next match to the future runner up, Andrew Howe from Oklahoma 5-2. Wilps won his next match to make him an All-American against Tanner Weatheman 3-2. Wilps lost his next match to Robert Kokesh in overtime, 2-1. For 7th and 8th, Wilps defeated Bryce Hammond from CBS 4-2.
At 184 lbs., Max Thomusseit won his first match aganist Clint Morrison 5-4. Thomusseit lost his next match in overtime against Jack Dechow 3-1. Thomusseit won his next two matches against Lehund Weatherspoon 4-0 and Victor Avery 7-6 beofre losing his next match to Kevin Steinhaus from Minnesota 6-5. Thomusseit was one win away from All-American distinction.
At 197 lbs., Nick Bonaccorsi had to wrestle the number 14 seed Chris Penny in his first match. Bonaccorsi lost to Penny 3-1. Bonaccorsi then went on to defeat John Bolich by Fall in 2 minutes 27 seconds. He then defeated Timothy McCall from Wisonsin 6-2. Bonaccorsi won his next match against Shane Woods 6-4 in overtime. Bonaccorsi lost his next match to place to Connor Hartmann from Duke 4-0.
At Hwt., Senior PJ Tasser lost his first match to Mike McClure 6-4 in overtime. Tasser went on to win his next match against Blake Herrin from American 4-3. Tasser lost his next match by fall against J.T Felix from BSU.
The Panthers wrestled tough the whole tournament and racked up a lot of quality wins. Hopefully, the Panthers can come back next year with All-Americans and NCAA Champions.