Pitt’s Jake Wentzel Named ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year
4/14/2021 2:30:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—A few weeks after its best NCAA Championships in decades, the University of Pittsburgh wrestling program received significant recognition for success in the classroom and on the mat as senior Jake Wentzel was named the 2021 ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year and four Panthers were named to the 2021 All-ACC Academic Team, the conference office announced Wednesday.
A native of South Park, Pa., Wentzel becomes Pitt's second wrestling student-athlete to receive recognition as the conference's premier scholar athlete, following Tyler Wilps in 2015.
"We're very happy for Jake and proud of all of his recent accomplishments," Pitt wrestling head coach Keith Gavin said. "He's always taken school very seriously and has grown and matured throughout his time at Pitt. Jake is truly a leader and a great example for all of the student-athletes in our program."
Wentzel has already completed his bachelor's degree in business administration and is now studying in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business for a postgraduate degree in accounting. A three-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree, Wentzel's grade-point average has remained above 3.5 throughout his time in undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh.
Following a 13-2 season that included his second straight ACC title at 165 pounds and culminated with a run to the final at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Wentzel has already announced his plans to return to Pitt for the 2021-22 season thanks to the NCAA's decision to award student-athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pitt also placed four wrestling student-athletes – Nino Bonaccorsi, Gregg Harvey, Micky Phillippi and Jake Wentzel – on this year's All-ACC Academic Team, which recognizes a combination of success on the mat and in the classroom for the conference's wrestlers. That total tied the program-best for All-ACC Academic Team honorees, equaling the four Panthers honored in 2018.
"Also excited about having four on the All-ACC Academic Team this year," Gavin added. "Nino, Gregg, Micky and Jake truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete at the University of Pittsburgh. We're thankful for their leadership and excited for the future as well."
Hailing from Derry, Pa., Phillippi also became a three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection while pursuing multiple degrees in communication as well as legal studies. One of the nation's highest-ranked wrestlers at 133 pounds, Phillippi finished his 2021 season with a 10-3 record.
Pitt's other NCAA finalist in 2021, Bethel Park's Bonaccorsi earned his first All-ACC Academic Team recognition. The nation's silver medalist at 197 pounds and first-time ACC champion finished his season with a 13-2 record while furthering his progress on his bachelor's degree in English literature.
Another Pitt senior with plans to return in 2021-22, Harvey likewise received his first All-ACC Academic Team appearance following a debut appearance at the NCAA Championships. The Boyertown, Pa., native studies marketing, business information systems and supply chain management.
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A native of South Park, Pa., Wentzel becomes Pitt's second wrestling student-athlete to receive recognition as the conference's premier scholar athlete, following Tyler Wilps in 2015.
"We're very happy for Jake and proud of all of his recent accomplishments," Pitt wrestling head coach Keith Gavin said. "He's always taken school very seriously and has grown and matured throughout his time at Pitt. Jake is truly a leader and a great example for all of the student-athletes in our program."
Wentzel has already completed his bachelor's degree in business administration and is now studying in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business for a postgraduate degree in accounting. A three-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree, Wentzel's grade-point average has remained above 3.5 throughout his time in undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh.
Following a 13-2 season that included his second straight ACC title at 165 pounds and culminated with a run to the final at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Wentzel has already announced his plans to return to Pitt for the 2021-22 season thanks to the NCAA's decision to award student-athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pitt also placed four wrestling student-athletes – Nino Bonaccorsi, Gregg Harvey, Micky Phillippi and Jake Wentzel – on this year's All-ACC Academic Team, which recognizes a combination of success on the mat and in the classroom for the conference's wrestlers. That total tied the program-best for All-ACC Academic Team honorees, equaling the four Panthers honored in 2018.
"Also excited about having four on the All-ACC Academic Team this year," Gavin added. "Nino, Gregg, Micky and Jake truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete at the University of Pittsburgh. We're thankful for their leadership and excited for the future as well."
Hailing from Derry, Pa., Phillippi also became a three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection while pursuing multiple degrees in communication as well as legal studies. One of the nation's highest-ranked wrestlers at 133 pounds, Phillippi finished his 2021 season with a 10-3 record.
Pitt's other NCAA finalist in 2021, Bethel Park's Bonaccorsi earned his first All-ACC Academic Team recognition. The nation's silver medalist at 197 pounds and first-time ACC champion finished his season with a 13-2 record while furthering his progress on his bachelor's degree in English literature.
Another Pitt senior with plans to return in 2021-22, Harvey likewise received his first All-ACC Academic Team appearance following a debut appearance at the NCAA Championships. The Boyertown, Pa., native studies marketing, business information systems and supply chain management.
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