Panthers Open Home Slate with Edinboro, No. 15 Wisconsin
12/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 9, 2015
Buy Tickets | Match Notes PITTSBURGH - After a three week hiatus, the Pitt wrestling team (3-1) returns to action and opens at the Fitzgerald Field House for the first time this season as the squad takes on Edinboro (4-2, 2-0 EWL) Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and No. 15 Wisconsin (1-0) Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m..
THE OPPONENTS
THE OPPONENTS
Edinboro
The Panthers and Fighting Scots will clash for the 27th time in program history, while Edinboro leads all meetings 16-11. The squads first met as members of the EWL in 1989 and last met a year ago as the Panthers won the dual 25-13.
The Fighting Scots enter Thursday's dual fresh off their fifth straight PSAC Championship title. Six wrestlers captured individual titles while the team finished with 136.5 points. Edinboro sports a young lineup that features just one true senior in Vince Pickett at 197 pounds. The remaining bouts consist of two redshirt seniors. The Fighting Scots starting lineup is currently without two noteworthy wrestlers in Vic Avery (184 pounds) and Austin Matthews (157 pounds). Avery is a returning All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier and ranks as high as second in the nation in this week's polls.
Promotion: First 500 fans will receive Pitt wrestling schedule magnets.
Wisconsin
The Fighting Scots enter Thursday's dual fresh off their fifth straight PSAC Championship title. Six wrestlers captured individual titles while the team finished with 136.5 points. Edinboro sports a young lineup that features just one true senior in Vince Pickett at 197 pounds. The remaining bouts consist of two redshirt seniors. The Fighting Scots starting lineup is currently without two noteworthy wrestlers in Vic Avery (184 pounds) and Austin Matthews (157 pounds). Avery is a returning All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier and ranks as high as second in the nation in this week's polls.
Promotion: First 500 fans will receive Pitt wrestling schedule magnets.
Wisconsin
Pitt and the Badgers are meeting for the second time since 2002. After strong showings at the Cliff Keen Invitational, Navy Classic, and Michigan State Open, Wisconsin ranks 15th in the nation in this week's USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll. The Badgers saw returning All-American Isaac Jordan earn his second-straight title at the Cliff Keen Invitational and now ranks third among 165 pounders by InterMat.
Wisconsin boasts another returning All-American in Ryan Taylor at 133 pounds. Taylor finished second in the Big Ten a year ago and compiled an overall record of 27-4.
Promotion: First 300 fans will receive Pitt wrestling holiday t-shirt.
LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin boasts another returning All-American in Ryan Taylor at 133 pounds. Taylor finished second in the Big Ten a year ago and compiled an overall record of 27-4.
Promotion: First 300 fans will receive Pitt wrestling holiday t-shirt.
LAST TIME OUT
The Panthers were crowned Keystone Classic champions on Nov. 22 at Penn and saw two individual champions in sophomore Dom Forys (133 pounds) and Mikey Racciato (141 pounds). Racciato defeated ranked opponents in the semifinals and final round en route to his title and was tabbed the Most Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts.
Prior to the trip to Philadelphia, Pitt fell to then No. 10 Lehigh 27-7 in Bethlehem, Pa. Although ultimately losing the dual, Forys and Racciato claimed the lone victories of the evening. Forys won in a 21-10 major decision over Jon Mele, while Racciato defeated No. 8 Randy Cruz, 3-2.
PANTHERS IN THE POLLS
Prior to the trip to Philadelphia, Pitt fell to then No. 10 Lehigh 27-7 in Bethlehem, Pa. Although ultimately losing the dual, Forys and Racciato claimed the lone victories of the evening. Forys won in a 21-10 major decision over Jon Mele, while Racciato defeated No. 8 Randy Cruz, 3-2.
PANTHERS IN THE POLLS
Forys, Racciato and Ryan Solomon continue to represent Pitt in the weekly rankings. This week, Racciato leads the charge coming in as high as No. 9 by Intermat, while Forys and Solomon rank 19th in their respective weight classes.
The Panthers broke into InterMat's top-25 dual meet rankings in the No. 25 spot and received nine votes in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches poll.
RACCIATO COLLECTS WEEKLY HONORS
The Panthers broke into InterMat's top-25 dual meet rankings in the No. 25 spot and received nine votes in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches poll.
RACCIATO COLLECTS WEEKLY HONORS
A two-time NCAA qualifier and ACC champion, Racciato put together an impressive weekend when Pitt traveled to the eastern side of the state. The Pen Argyl, Pa., native started his weekend with an upset over No. 8 Randy Cruz at Lehigh in a 3-2 decision. He carried his momentum to the Keystone Classic two days later, battling his way through four different opponents. Racciato defeated ranked opponents in the semifinals and final round en route to a 141 pound title. His impressive performances landed him ACC Wrestler of the Week, FloWrestler of the Week, and First National Bank Athlete of the Week. Racciato also jumped into the rankings that week at No. 10 by InterMat and FloWrestling.
SEASON AND MATCH TICKETS NOW ON SALE
SEASON AND MATCH TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Watch the Panthers as they begin the long road to Madison Square Garden. Pitt 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).
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
The Panthers will take a two-week break from competition to prepare for the 53rd Ken Kraft Midlands Championships hosted by Northwestern Dec. 29-30. Pitt will return to the Fitzgerald Field House Jan. 9, to host the annual Pitt Duals.
#H2P
#H2P
Players Mentioned
Pitt Wrestling Highlights | Pitt vs. North Carolina
Saturday, March 01
Highlights | Pitt vs. North Carolina
Friday, February 07
Pitt Wrestling | No. 16 Pitt 42, Duke 0 | Highlights
Sunday, February 02
Highlights | Pitt vs. Duke
Saturday, February 01