University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Peters Announces Signing Class of 2016
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 18, 2015
PITTSBURGH - University of Pittsburgh head wrestling coach Jason Peters has announced a loaded class of early signees to his 2016 class. The bunch is comprised of two WPIAL blue bloods and one of New York's finest prep athletes.
The signing classes includes Jacob Wentzel (South Park, Pa./152), Austin Bell (Belle Vernon, Pa./170) and Christian Dietrich (Greene, N.Y./182).
Former Pitt wrestling brothers Donnie and P.J. Tasser, also graduates of Belle Vernon, played a major role in the major success of now-committed Austin Bell who garnered All-American accolades as freshman in high school and became BVA's second WPIAL champion in school history as a sophomore. That same year Bell had a runner-up finish (160 lbs.) at the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Sophomore Nationals in Virginia Beach. Through his three years as a Leopard, Bell has compiled an overall record of 118-21, including a third place finish at states. In the most recent high school polls, Bell was ranked fifth by FloWrestling and eighth by InterMat.
The future Panther who resides closest to Pitt's Oakland campus is Jacob Wentzel, a product of South Park High School, at the southern tip of Allegheny County. Wentzel is rated No. 4 by InterMat and No. 7 by FloWrestling in the 152 weight class. Wentzel is the reigning PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) champion at 152 pounds, and, as a senior, Wentzel looks to build upon the 80-3 record he's compiled over the past two seasons.
New York native Christian Dietrich got an early start to his high school career as he earned his first spot on the podium as a seventh grader wrestling at 152 pounds. Dietrich then took a year off being going all the way to the state finals where he finished second at 170 pounds. As a sophomore, he went undefeated en route to another state championship at 182 pounds. Dietrich would then start attending Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa., to continue to grow as a wrestler and student in the classroom. In the latest FloWrestling rankings, Dietrich comes in at eighth and was tabbed 11th by InterMat.
The Panthers will compete at the Fitzgerald Field House seven times throughout the 2015-16 campaign and will host some of the top teams in the country. Fans can purchase season and single match tickets online or by calling 800-643-PITT(7488).
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