Hunter Kernan Wins Title as Pitt Begins Wrestling Season at Clarion Open

Sunday, November 7

Clarion, PA

All Day

Pitt

Clarion Open

Hunter Kernan Wins Title as Pitt Begins Wrestling Season at Clarion Open

11/7/2021 7:00:00 PM | Wrestling

Results

CLARION, Pa.—The University of Pittsburgh wrestling team officially opened its 2021-22 campaign on Sunday at the Clarion Open, with Hunter Kernan claiming the 174-pound title and several other Panthers earning placements following a busy day of action at Tippin Gym.

Kernan staked his claim to be Pitt's starter at 174 pounds this season with an impressive run through his bracket, winning all five of his matches. Two of Kernan's victories came by fall, including a last-second pin of Hofstra's Reece Heller in the open tournament title match.

Seven other Pitt wrestlers also placed at the Clarion Open on Sunday.

Gage Curry (125 pounds) and James Lledo (184 pounds) finished second in their respective brackets, while Jake Slinger (285 pounds) fought back to earn third at heavyweight.

Colton Camacho (125 pounds) and Dan Mancini (149 pounds) won their final matches to claim fifth, and Tyler Badgett (157 pounds) also earned a top-six finish to begin his season.

Wrestling unattached, true freshman Luca Augustine also placed fourth at 174 pounds, losing his semifinal match to Kernan on riding time after a 2-2 final score.

As a team, Pitt finished third at the event with 148.5 rostered points, finishing behind Navy and West Virginia. Pitt's unattached wrestlers also accumulated 16 points. Host school Clarion, Maryland, Buffalo, Penn State, Lehigh, Lock Haven, Bloomsburg, Franklin & Marshall, Kent State, Hofstra and Bucknell also had student-athletes competing at the season-opening open tournament.

Here is a full breakdown of Pitt's individual performances at the Clarion Open on Sunday:

Hunter Kernan, 1st Place, 184 Pounds, Record: 5-0
Gage Curry, 2nd Place, 125 Pounds, Record: 4-1
James Lledo, 2nd Place, 184 Pounds, Record: 4-1
Jake Slinger, 3rd Place, 285 Pounds, Record: 3-1
Colton Camacho, 5th Place, 125 Pounds, Record: 5-1
Dan Mancini, 5th Place, 149 Pounds, Record: 5-1
Tyler Badgett, 6th Place, 157 Pounds, Record: 4-2
Ryan Michaels, 141 Pounds, Record: 2-2
Luke Kemerer, 149 Pounds, Record: 1-2
Tye Weathersby, 165 Pounds, Record: 1-2
Geoff Magin, 197 Pounds, Record: 1-2
Jake Cherry, 141 Pounds, Record: 0-2
Nicholas Meglino, 184 Pounds, Record: 0-2

Luca Augustine, 4th Place, 174 Pounds, Record: 2-2 (unattached)
Collin McCorkle, 157 Pounds, Record: 1-2 (unattached)
Cole Hivnor, 184 Pounds, Record: 1-2 (unattached)
Emory Taylor, 157 Pounds, Record: 0-2 (unattached)
Ethan Finch, 197 Pounds, Record: 0-2 (unattached)

Brackets, match results and match replays are available at FloWrestling.

The Panthers begin their dual season at Buffalo on Friday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. and will face in-state foe Edinboro on Saturday, Nov. 13 with another dual slated to start at 7 p.m.

#pinzburgh | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram