No. 24 Pitt to Compete at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational

PITTSBURGH – The 24^th-ranked University of Pittsburgh wrestling team is set to compete at the 37^th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Friday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

THE SCHEDULE – All time EST

Friday, Nov. 30
- 10 a.m. – weigh-ins
- 12 p.m. – Wrestling begins
Saturday, Dec. 1
- 11 a.m. – weigh-ins
- 12 p.m. – Wrestling begins
- 6 p.m. – Championship finals

HOW TO FOLLOW

FloWrestling will carry all of the coverage throughout the weekend including live streams, results, brackets, team standings and much more.
Follow the team on Twitter for live updates throughout the weekend at @Pitt_WRES.

LAST TIME OUT

The Panthers upset then-ranked No. 14 Northern Iowa in thrilling fashion Saturday, Nov. 17.
A win by heavyweight Demetrius Thomas in the final bout of the night sealed the deal as the Panthers won it, 21-19.
The individual wins were split down the middle at five a piece, but wins by redshirt junior Kellan Stout at 197 pounds and Thomas at heavyweight down the stretch were the difference makers.
Two Panthers won their match by way of a pin, including redshirt freshman Micky Phillippi at 133 pounds and redshirt junior Taleb Rahmani at 157 pounds.
The dual was tied twice and featured four different lead changes.
Pitt's last win over a ranked opponent was Jan. 7 2018 when the squad upset No. 18 Oklahoma, 19-18, in similar fashion. Former heavyweight and 2018 graduate Ryan Solomon lifted the Panthers to victory with a final-bout pin.

BEST OF THE BEST AT #CKLV

Of the top 25 teams in this week's USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll, 17 teams are represented in Las Vegas.
ACC foes Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech will be competing this weekend.
42 total teams will be represented.

FOUR PANTHERS EARN PRE-SEEDS

Four Pitt wrestlers enter the tournament pre-seeded at their respective weight classes.
- Micky Phillippi – 133 / #7
- Taleb Rahmani – 157 / #5
- Jake Wentzel – 165 / #12
- Nino Bonaccorsi – 184 / #7

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Pitt returns for the 37th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational for the 17th time in program history.
The Panthers finished tied for 12th (56.0) a year ago after returning for the first time since 2011.
Four Pitt wrestlers reached the podium a year ago, as Nick Zanetta (141) and Ryan Solomon (285) placed sixth and Dom Forys (133) and Taleb Rahmani (157) placed seventh.
The Panthers placed eighth in 2011 with Matt Wilps placing the highest (third) individually at 197 pounds.
Pitt has finished in the top 10 as a team on eight occasions, placing fourth twice (2008, 1996).
The last Panther to earn a title at #CKLV was current head coach Keith Gavin in 2008. Gavin went on to win a national title that same year.
Pitt first made the trip to Las Vegas in 1989 and finished 24th.

PANTHERS IN THE POLLS

Following its notable win over No. 14 UNI Nov. 17, Pitt jumped into the top 25 of the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll at No. 24.
The Panthers join the top 25 for the first time since Dec. 5, 2017. Pitt began the 2017-18 season ranked, where they spent five weeks before dropping out.
Three Panthers are ranked inside the top 20 individually by InterMat at their respective weight classes:
- Taleb Rahmani – 157 / #8
- Micky Phillippi – 133 / #13
- Nino Bonaccorsi – 184 / #13

LOOKING AHEAD

Pitt returns to the Fitzgerald Field House Saturday, Dec. 15 to host West Virginia for the Backyard Brawl at 7 p.m.
The Panthers will then host Bucknell Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m.
Pitt hits the road for four consecutive dual meets beginning Friday, Dec. 21 at Clarion. The Panthers will then compete at Oklahoma (Jan. 6), North Dakota State (Jan. 12) and South Dakota State (Jan. 13).

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