University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Saturday, December 1
Las Vegas, Nev.
Pitt
vs
Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite
Four Panthers Reach Podium in Las Vegas
12/1/2018 9:07:00 PM | Wrestling
Phillippi Earns Runner-Up Finish at 133 Pounds
LAS VEGAS – The 24th-ranked University of Pittsburgh wrestling team concluded action at the 37th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Saturday night. Four Panthers reached the podium in their respective weight classes, while redshirt freshman Micky Phillippi earned a runner-up finish at 133 pounds.
Also reaching the podium tonight was junior heavyweight Demetrius Thomas with a fourth place finish, redshirt junior Taleb Rahmani finished fifth at 157 pounds and redshirt freshman Nino Bonaccorsi placed seventh at 184 pounds.
As a team, the Panthers finished seventh (77.0) out of 43 teams marking its best finish since 2008 when they finished fourth (85.0)
"It was a good tournament for us," said head coach Keith Gavin. "I'm proud of the way our guys wrestled. They showed a lot of character and grit this weekend. We are on the right track and we're anxious to get back to work."
Pitt entered the final day of action with six wrestlers alive, including senior LJ Bentley at 141 pounds and redshirt sophomore Jake Wentzel at 165 pounds. However, both fell in their consolation second round of eight to ranked opponents to conclude their time in Las Vegas.
Despite falling in the finals, Phillippi had a stellar weekend, moving to 6-1 on the year. The Derry, Pa., native knocked off long-time foe Luke Pletcher of Ohio State in a 2-1 decision in the semifinals, using an escape and riding time to advance to the finals. Pletcher was the No. 3 seed at 133 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in the nation by InterMat. In the finals, Phillippi fell in an 11-3 major decision to top-seeded and third-ranked Nick Suriano of Rutgers.
Thomas used three wins Saturday morning to advance to the consolation semifinals. The Ferguson, Mo., native opened the day by pinning Brian Andrews of Wyoming in 6:54 for his third pin of the tournament. Thomas then advanced to the consolation semifinals where he clashed with No. 13 Cory Daniel of North Carolina. The two went to overtime to decide the match, as Thomas used a reversal to seal the deal for his third win over a ranked opponent this weekend. Thomas' notable run came to an end as he fell in the second tiebreaker for fourth place.
Rahmani suffered back-to-back losses today in the semifinals and consolation semifinals. He redeemed himself in the fifth place match, taking down No. 6 Kennedy Monday of North Carolina, 9-2, to reach the podium.
Bonaccorsi bounced back this morning, picking up a win by major decision over Jordan Atienza of Central Michigan in the consolation second round of eight. Advancing to the consolation semifinals, Bonaccorsi clashed with the No. 3 seed and fifth-ranked Zack Zavatsky of Virginia Tech, where he dropped a 6-2 decision. Bonaccorsi then finished the tournament how he started, with a win over Will Schany of Virginia, this time in a 14-3 major decision for seventh place.
The Panthers resume dual action Saturday, Dec. 15 for the Backyard Brawl with West Virginia at the Fitzgerald Field House. The Bucknell Bison will then pay a visit to Pittsburgh the following day, Dec. 16, for a 2 p.m. dual meet.
FINAL PITT 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 (4-1) – RUNNER-UP
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
SF: Micky Phillippi (UP) dec. (2) #5 Luke Pletcher (OSU), 2-1
FINAL: (1) #3 Nick Suriano (RUT) maj. dec. Micky Phillippi (UP), 11-3
141 - LJ Bentley (3-2)
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: (8) #18 Dom Demas (OU) dec. LJ Bentley (UP), 11-5
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 (4-2) – FIFTH PLACE
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
SF: Griffin Parriott (PU) dec. Taleb Rahmani (UP), 5-3
Cons. SF: (4) #7 Ke-Shawn Hayes (OSU) dec. Taleb Rahmani (UP), 7-5
Fifth Place Match: Taleb Rahmani (UP) dec. #6 Kennedy Monday (UNC), 9-2
165 - (12) Jake Wentzel (3-2)
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: (6) #13 Connor Flynn (MIZ) dec. Jake Wentzel (UP), 8-6
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 (5-2) – SEVENTH PLACE
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) maj. dec. Jordan Atienza (CMU), 13-3
Cons. SF: (3) #5 Zack Zavatsky (VT) dec. Nino Bonaccorsi (UP), 6-2
7th Place Match: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) maj. dec. Will Schany (UVA), 14-3
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 (7-1) – FOURTH PLACE
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: Demetrius Thomas (UP) pins (7) #17 Matt Stencel (CMU), 2:04
Cons. Rd. 4: Demetrius Thomas (UP) pins Brian Andrews (WYO), 6:54
Cons. SF: Demetrius Thomas (UP) def. (4) #13 Cory Daniel (UNC), TB-2, 3-1
Cons. Finals: (9) #20 Zach Elam (MIZ) dec. Demetrius Thomas (UP), 3-1
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Also reaching the podium tonight was junior heavyweight Demetrius Thomas with a fourth place finish, redshirt junior Taleb Rahmani finished fifth at 157 pounds and redshirt freshman Nino Bonaccorsi placed seventh at 184 pounds.
As a team, the Panthers finished seventh (77.0) out of 43 teams marking its best finish since 2008 when they finished fourth (85.0)
"It was a good tournament for us," said head coach Keith Gavin. "I'm proud of the way our guys wrestled. They showed a lot of character and grit this weekend. We are on the right track and we're anxious to get back to work."
Pitt entered the final day of action with six wrestlers alive, including senior LJ Bentley at 141 pounds and redshirt sophomore Jake Wentzel at 165 pounds. However, both fell in their consolation second round of eight to ranked opponents to conclude their time in Las Vegas.
Despite falling in the finals, Phillippi had a stellar weekend, moving to 6-1 on the year. The Derry, Pa., native knocked off long-time foe Luke Pletcher of Ohio State in a 2-1 decision in the semifinals, using an escape and riding time to advance to the finals. Pletcher was the No. 3 seed at 133 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in the nation by InterMat. In the finals, Phillippi fell in an 11-3 major decision to top-seeded and third-ranked Nick Suriano of Rutgers.
Thomas used three wins Saturday morning to advance to the consolation semifinals. The Ferguson, Mo., native opened the day by pinning Brian Andrews of Wyoming in 6:54 for his third pin of the tournament. Thomas then advanced to the consolation semifinals where he clashed with No. 13 Cory Daniel of North Carolina. The two went to overtime to decide the match, as Thomas used a reversal to seal the deal for his third win over a ranked opponent this weekend. Thomas' notable run came to an end as he fell in the second tiebreaker for fourth place.
Rahmani suffered back-to-back losses today in the semifinals and consolation semifinals. He redeemed himself in the fifth place match, taking down No. 6 Kennedy Monday of North Carolina, 9-2, to reach the podium.
Bonaccorsi bounced back this morning, picking up a win by major decision over Jordan Atienza of Central Michigan in the consolation second round of eight. Advancing to the consolation semifinals, Bonaccorsi clashed with the No. 3 seed and fifth-ranked Zack Zavatsky of Virginia Tech, where he dropped a 6-2 decision. Bonaccorsi then finished the tournament how he started, with a win over Will Schany of Virginia, this time in a 14-3 major decision for seventh place.
The Panthers resume dual action Saturday, Dec. 15 for the Backyard Brawl with West Virginia at the Fitzgerald Field House. The Bucknell Bison will then pay a visit to Pittsburgh the following day, Dec. 16, for a 2 p.m. dual meet.
FINAL PITT 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 (4-1) – RUNNER-UP
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
SF: Micky Phillippi (UP) dec. (2) #5 Luke Pletcher (OSU), 2-1
FINAL: (1) #3 Nick Suriano (RUT) maj. dec. Micky Phillippi (UP), 11-3
141 - LJ Bentley (3-2)
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: (8) #18 Dom Demas (OU) dec. LJ Bentley (UP), 11-5
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 (4-2) – FIFTH PLACE
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
SF: Griffin Parriott (PU) dec. Taleb Rahmani (UP), 5-3
Cons. SF: (4) #7 Ke-Shawn Hayes (OSU) dec. Taleb Rahmani (UP), 7-5
Fifth Place Match: Taleb Rahmani (UP) dec. #6 Kennedy Monday (UNC), 9-2
165 - (12) Jake Wentzel (3-2)
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: (6) #13 Connor Flynn (MIZ) dec. Jake Wentzel (UP), 8-6
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 (5-2) – SEVENTH PLACE
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) maj. dec. Jordan Atienza (CMU), 13-3
Cons. SF: (3) #5 Zack Zavatsky (VT) dec. Nino Bonaccorsi (UP), 6-2
7th Place Match: Nino Bonaccorsi (UP) maj. dec. Will Schany (UVA), 14-3
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 (7-1) – FOURTH PLACE
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
Cons. #2 Rd. 8: Demetrius Thomas (UP) pins (7) #17 Matt Stencel (CMU), 2:04
Cons. Rd. 4: Demetrius Thomas (UP) pins Brian Andrews (WYO), 6:54
Cons. SF: Demetrius Thomas (UP) def. (4) #13 Cory Daniel (UNC), TB-2, 3-1
Cons. Finals: (9) #20 Zach Elam (MIZ) dec. Demetrius Thomas (UP), 3-1
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