University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Friday, November 30
Las Vegas, Nev.
Pitt
vs
Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite
Phillippi, Rahmani Advance to Semifinals of #CKLV
11/30/2018 11:41:00 PM | Wrestling
Six Panthers Still Alive at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite
LAS VEGAS – The 24th-ranked University of Pittsburgh wrestling team had a strong showing at the first day of the 37th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Redshirt freshman Micky Phillippi and redshirt junior Taleb Rahmani both advanced to the semifinals in their respective weight classes, while four others are still alive in the tournament.
Remaining Panthers:
"We wrestled well in the last round," said head coach Keith Gavin. "Micky had a big win to put him through to the semifinals. Taleb had a dominant performance in his quarterfinal match. Nino was taking it to a top-5 guy and unfortunately got hit with a big move. Overall, I'm proud of our effort today, and look forward to finishing strong tomorrow."
Phillippi impressed today, defeating two ranked opponents including No. 7 Ethan Lizak of Minnesota. With the wins, Phillippi is now 6-0 on the year. He'll take on the No. 2 seed and fifth-ranked Luke Pletcher of Ohio State in the semifinals Saturday. The two are familiar foes, facing each other numerous times in high school as Phillippi went to Derry and Pletcher went to Latrobe, both top WPIAL programs.
Although no longer in the championship bracket, redshirt freshman Nino Bonaccorsi and junior Demetrius Thomas also had notable performances today.
Bonaccorsi went 3-1 on the day and is now 4-2 on the year. The redshirt freshman's most impressive performance was in his quarterfinal match against the No. 2 seed and third-ranked Taylor Venz of Nebraska. Bonaccorsi led 9-6 with one minute to go, but got caught it a tough position and ended up getting pinned.
Thomas impressed as well, finishing 4-1 on the day with three wins by major decision and one fall. Thomas is now 11-1 on the year. The junior transfer entered the weekend unseeded and unranked, and pinned No. 12 Jeramy Sweany of Cornell in 1:52.
After a full day of competition, Pitt sits sixth in the team race with 48 points. Leading the way with Ohio State with 88.
Saturday, Dec. 1 Schedule (times are EST)
11 a.m.: Weigh-ins, Las Vegas Convention Center
12 p.m.: Round 7 Consolation 2nd of (8)
1 p.m.: Round 8 Championship Semi-Finals, Round 9 Consolation Semi Finals, Consolation Finals 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th Places
6 p.m.: CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th Places
DAY 1 RESULTS
125 - Brendon Fenton (0-2)
PG Rd. 1: (3) #5 Sean Russell (MIN) tech. fall Brendon Fenton (UP), 20-5, 6:41
Cons. Rd. 32: Korbin Meink (CAM) dec. Brendon Fenton (UP), 8-7
133 - (6) #13 Micky Phillippi (4-0)
Rd. of 32: Micky Phillippi (UP) maj. dec. Yoshito Funakoshi (CP), 16-6
Rd. of 16: Micky Phillippi (UP) dec. #19 Cam Sykora (NDSU), 6-2
QF: Micky Phillippi (UP) dec. (3) #7 Ethan Lizak (MIN), 4-0
NEXT MATCH: Semifinals vs. (2) #5 Luke Pletcher (Ohio State)
141 - LJ Bentley (3-1)
PG Rd. 1: Yahya Thomas (NU) def. LJ Bentley (UP), SV-1, 2-0
Cons. Rd. 32: LJ Bentley (UP) maj. dec. Owen Lamb (CAM), 15-3
Cons. Rd. 16: LJ Bentley (UP) dec. Michael Venosa (CORN), 4-1
Cons. Rd. 8: LJ Bentley (UP) dec. Taylor Ortz (CLA), 4-3
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. vs. (8) #18 Dom Demas (Oklahoma)
149 - Robert Lee (1-2)
PG Rd. 1: Robert Lee (UP) dec. Christian Kenzler (ILL), 5-1
Rd. of 32: (6) #8 Brock Zacherl (CU) dec. Robert Lee, 7-3
Cons. Rd. 16: Brock Wilson (HAR) dec. Robert Lee (UP), 9-5
157 - (5) #8 Taleb Rahmani (3-0)
Rd. of 32: Taleb Rahmani (UP) pins Chris Mauriello (HOF), 5:39
Rd. of 16: Taleb Rahmani (UP) dec. Dewey Krueger (WYO), 7-3
QF: Taleb Rahmani (UP) maj. dec. Eric Barone (ILL), 12-4
NEXT MATCH: Semifinals vs. Griffin Parriott (Purdue)
165 - (12) Jake Wentzel (3-1)
Rd. of 32: Jake Wentzel (UP) dec. Jeremy Thomas (OU), 4-2
Rd. of 16: (5) #12 Joey Gunther (ILL) dec. Jake Wentzel (UP), 3-2
Cons. Rd. 16: Jake Wentzel (UP) maj. dec. Mikil Dawkins (COR), 12-0
Cons. Rd. 8: Jake Wentzel (UP) dec. Tanner Skidgel (NAVY), 9-2
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. vs. (6) #13 Connor Flynn (Missouri)
174 - Gregg Harvey (1-2)
Rd. of 32: Gregg Harvey (UP) dec. Hayden Hastings (WYO), 4-3
Rd. of 16: (4) #11 Mikey Labriola (NEB) dec. Gregg Harvey (UP), 7-2
Cons. Rd. 16: Colt Doyle (OSU) dec. Gregg Harvey (UP), 6-4
184 - (7) #13 Nino Bonaccorsi (3-1)
PG Rd. 1: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) dec. Will Schany (UVA), 8-6
Rd. of 32: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) def. Kayne MacCallum (OU), SV-1, 7-5
Rd. of 16: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) maj. dec. #20 Jelani Embree (UM), 18-9
QF: (2) #3 Taylor Venz (NEB) pins Nino Bonaccorsi (UP), 5:59
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. Jordan Atienza (Central Michigan)
197 - Kellan Stout (1-2)
Rd. of 32: (11) Zack Chakonis (NU) dec. Kellan Stout (UP), 2-0
Cons. Rd. 16; Kellan Stout (UP) dec. Nezar Heddad (HOF), 7-0
Cons. Rd. 16: Tom Lane (CP) pins Kellan Stout (UP), 6:28
285 - Demetrius Thomas (4-1)
PG Rd. 1: Jarrod Hinrichs (UNK) def. Demetrius Thomas (UP), SV-1, 8-6
Cons. Rd. 32: Demetrius Thomas (UP) maj. dec. Zach Schrader (CBU), 10-2
Cons. Rd. 16: Demetrius Thomas (UP) pins (3) #12 Jeramy Sweany (COR), 1:52
Cons. Rd. 16: Demetrius Thomas (UP) maj. dec. Niko Camacho (AU), 10-1
Cons. Rd. 8: Demetrius Thomas (UP) maj. dec. John Borst (VT), 10-2
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. (7) #17 Matt Stencel (Central Michigan)
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Remaining Panthers:
- 133 – Micky Phillippi
- 141 – LJ Bentley
- 157 – Taleb Rahmani
- 165 – Jake Wentzel
- 184 – Nino Bonaccorsi
- 285 – Demetrius Thomas
"We wrestled well in the last round," said head coach Keith Gavin. "Micky had a big win to put him through to the semifinals. Taleb had a dominant performance in his quarterfinal match. Nino was taking it to a top-5 guy and unfortunately got hit with a big move. Overall, I'm proud of our effort today, and look forward to finishing strong tomorrow."
Phillippi impressed today, defeating two ranked opponents including No. 7 Ethan Lizak of Minnesota. With the wins, Phillippi is now 6-0 on the year. He'll take on the No. 2 seed and fifth-ranked Luke Pletcher of Ohio State in the semifinals Saturday. The two are familiar foes, facing each other numerous times in high school as Phillippi went to Derry and Pletcher went to Latrobe, both top WPIAL programs.
Although no longer in the championship bracket, redshirt freshman Nino Bonaccorsi and junior Demetrius Thomas also had notable performances today.
Bonaccorsi went 3-1 on the day and is now 4-2 on the year. The redshirt freshman's most impressive performance was in his quarterfinal match against the No. 2 seed and third-ranked Taylor Venz of Nebraska. Bonaccorsi led 9-6 with one minute to go, but got caught it a tough position and ended up getting pinned.
Thomas impressed as well, finishing 4-1 on the day with three wins by major decision and one fall. Thomas is now 11-1 on the year. The junior transfer entered the weekend unseeded and unranked, and pinned No. 12 Jeramy Sweany of Cornell in 1:52.
After a full day of competition, Pitt sits sixth in the team race with 48 points. Leading the way with Ohio State with 88.
Saturday, Dec. 1 Schedule (times are EST)
11 a.m.: Weigh-ins, Las Vegas Convention Center
12 p.m.: Round 7 Consolation 2nd of (8)
1 p.m.: Round 8 Championship Semi-Finals, Round 9 Consolation Semi Finals, Consolation Finals 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th Places
6 p.m.: CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th Places
DAY 1 RESULTS
125 - Brendon Fenton (0-2)
PG Rd. 1: (3) #5 Sean Russell (MIN) tech. fall Brendon Fenton (UP), 20-5, 6:41
Cons. Rd. 32: Korbin Meink (CAM) dec. Brendon Fenton (UP), 8-7
133 - (6) #13 Micky Phillippi (4-0)
Rd. of 32: Micky Phillippi (UP) maj. dec. Yoshito Funakoshi (CP), 16-6
Rd. of 16: Micky Phillippi (UP) dec. #19 Cam Sykora (NDSU), 6-2
QF: Micky Phillippi (UP) dec. (3) #7 Ethan Lizak (MIN), 4-0
NEXT MATCH: Semifinals vs. (2) #5 Luke Pletcher (Ohio State)
141 - LJ Bentley (3-1)
PG Rd. 1: Yahya Thomas (NU) def. LJ Bentley (UP), SV-1, 2-0
Cons. Rd. 32: LJ Bentley (UP) maj. dec. Owen Lamb (CAM), 15-3
Cons. Rd. 16: LJ Bentley (UP) dec. Michael Venosa (CORN), 4-1
Cons. Rd. 8: LJ Bentley (UP) dec. Taylor Ortz (CLA), 4-3
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. vs. (8) #18 Dom Demas (Oklahoma)
149 - Robert Lee (1-2)
PG Rd. 1: Robert Lee (UP) dec. Christian Kenzler (ILL), 5-1
Rd. of 32: (6) #8 Brock Zacherl (CU) dec. Robert Lee, 7-3
Cons. Rd. 16: Brock Wilson (HAR) dec. Robert Lee (UP), 9-5
157 - (5) #8 Taleb Rahmani (3-0)
Rd. of 32: Taleb Rahmani (UP) pins Chris Mauriello (HOF), 5:39
Rd. of 16: Taleb Rahmani (UP) dec. Dewey Krueger (WYO), 7-3
QF: Taleb Rahmani (UP) maj. dec. Eric Barone (ILL), 12-4
NEXT MATCH: Semifinals vs. Griffin Parriott (Purdue)
165 - (12) Jake Wentzel (3-1)
Rd. of 32: Jake Wentzel (UP) dec. Jeremy Thomas (OU), 4-2
Rd. of 16: (5) #12 Joey Gunther (ILL) dec. Jake Wentzel (UP), 3-2
Cons. Rd. 16: Jake Wentzel (UP) maj. dec. Mikil Dawkins (COR), 12-0
Cons. Rd. 8: Jake Wentzel (UP) dec. Tanner Skidgel (NAVY), 9-2
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. vs. (6) #13 Connor Flynn (Missouri)
174 - Gregg Harvey (1-2)
Rd. of 32: Gregg Harvey (UP) dec. Hayden Hastings (WYO), 4-3
Rd. of 16: (4) #11 Mikey Labriola (NEB) dec. Gregg Harvey (UP), 7-2
Cons. Rd. 16: Colt Doyle (OSU) dec. Gregg Harvey (UP), 6-4
184 - (7) #13 Nino Bonaccorsi (3-1)
PG Rd. 1: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) dec. Will Schany (UVA), 8-6
Rd. of 32: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) def. Kayne MacCallum (OU), SV-1, 7-5
Rd. of 16: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) maj. dec. #20 Jelani Embree (UM), 18-9
QF: (2) #3 Taylor Venz (NEB) pins Nino Bonaccorsi (UP), 5:59
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. Jordan Atienza (Central Michigan)
197 - Kellan Stout (1-2)
Rd. of 32: (11) Zack Chakonis (NU) dec. Kellan Stout (UP), 2-0
Cons. Rd. 16; Kellan Stout (UP) dec. Nezar Heddad (HOF), 7-0
Cons. Rd. 16: Tom Lane (CP) pins Kellan Stout (UP), 6:28
285 - Demetrius Thomas (4-1)
PG Rd. 1: Jarrod Hinrichs (UNK) def. Demetrius Thomas (UP), SV-1, 8-6
Cons. Rd. 32: Demetrius Thomas (UP) maj. dec. Zach Schrader (CBU), 10-2
Cons. Rd. 16: Demetrius Thomas (UP) pins (3) #12 Jeramy Sweany (COR), 1:52
Cons. Rd. 16: Demetrius Thomas (UP) maj. dec. Niko Camacho (AU), 10-1
Cons. Rd. 8: Demetrius Thomas (UP) maj. dec. John Borst (VT), 10-2
NEXT MATCH: Consolation #2 Rd. of 8 vs. (7) #17 Matt Stencel (Central Michigan)
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