University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt’s Jake Wentzel Earns ACC, National Weekly Awards
1/5/2021 2:00:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh senior wrestler and team captain Jake Wentzel received two significant weekly awards Tuesday following his impressive season debut on Sunday at Navy.
A native of South Park, Pa., Wentzel was named the ACC Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career and also received National College Wrestler of the Week honors from The Open Mat.
Wentzel's recognition resulted from his outstanding and pivotal performance in Pitt's 22-14 dual victory over the Midshipmen on Sunday evening in Annapolis.
Facing Navy's No. 7-ranked Tanner Skidgel at 165 pounds, Wentzel stepped up when Pitt needed a spark in the dual, earning an individual victory over a Top-10 opponent by a 5-2 decision while accumulating nearly two minutes of riding time in the process.
That result helped the No. 14-ranked Panthers turn around a 14-3 deficit against Navy. After Wentzel's win shifted momentum, Pitt's upper weights won the next four matches to secure the team victory.
Following the dual, Wentzel improved to 2-0 on the season with a 10-0 major decision over Navy's Henry Hague as the Panthers and Midshipmen completed additional individual matches in Annapolis.
Wentzel, the defending ACC champion at 165 pounds, entered the 2021 season ranked in the Top 10 by several media outlets as well. FloWrestling touted him as the No. 7 wrestler nationally in his weight class, while InterMat placed him at No. 10 heading into the new campaign.
The Panthers will host No. 17 Lehigh on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Field House.
The match will not be open to the public due capacity regulations from the Governor's Office, but it will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra via the WatchESPN app.
#pinzburgh | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
A native of South Park, Pa., Wentzel was named the ACC Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career and also received National College Wrestler of the Week honors from The Open Mat.
Wentzel's recognition resulted from his outstanding and pivotal performance in Pitt's 22-14 dual victory over the Midshipmen on Sunday evening in Annapolis.
Facing Navy's No. 7-ranked Tanner Skidgel at 165 pounds, Wentzel stepped up when Pitt needed a spark in the dual, earning an individual victory over a Top-10 opponent by a 5-2 decision while accumulating nearly two minutes of riding time in the process.
That result helped the No. 14-ranked Panthers turn around a 14-3 deficit against Navy. After Wentzel's win shifted momentum, Pitt's upper weights won the next four matches to secure the team victory.
Following the dual, Wentzel improved to 2-0 on the season with a 10-0 major decision over Navy's Henry Hague as the Panthers and Midshipmen completed additional individual matches in Annapolis.
Wentzel, the defending ACC champion at 165 pounds, entered the 2021 season ranked in the Top 10 by several media outlets as well. FloWrestling touted him as the No. 7 wrestler nationally in his weight class, while InterMat placed him at No. 10 heading into the new campaign.
The Panthers will host No. 17 Lehigh on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Field House.
The match will not be open to the public due capacity regulations from the Governor's Office, but it will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra via the WatchESPN app.
#pinzburgh | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
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