Trio of Panthers Honored as NWCA Scholar All-Americans
5/25/2021 1:00:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—Three members of the University of Pittsburgh wrestling program were honored as 2021 Scholar All-Americans, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced.
Nino Bonaccorsi, Micky Phillippi and Jake Wentzel each garnered the prestigious recognition after stellar years both on the mat and in the classroom for head coach Keith Gavin.
For Phillippi and Wentzel, the award makes them two-time NWCA Scholar All-Americans after receiving the honor last year as well, while Bonaccorsi earned his first nod.
Bethel Park native Bonaccorsi finished the 2021 campaign as an NCAA All-American after reaching the national final at 197 pounds and winning his first ACC title. He finished with a 13-2 record while excelling in the classroom as an English Literature major, also earning selection to the All-ACC Academic Team.
Hailing from Derry, Pa., Phillippi received another Scholar All-American from the NWCA after a strong campaign that saw him finish with an undefeated regular season before advancing to the Round of 12 at the NCAA Championships. The three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection is currently pursuing multiple bachelor's degrees in Communication as well as Legal Studies.
Wentzel also garnered his second NWCA Scholar All-American award after his best season on the mat. The NCAA All-American and national runner-up at 165 pounds, Wentzel established himself as a dominant top wrestler this past year and was named the ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2021. The South Park, Pa., native has already completed an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and now studies Accounting in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business.
The trio each own a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) over 3.0, which made them eligible for selection to the NWCA Scholar All-America Team this year.
All three of Pitt's 2021 NWCA Scholar All-Americans will return for the 2021-22 season, giving Gavin one of the most decorated and experienced group of wrestling student-athletes in the nation.
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Nino Bonaccorsi, Micky Phillippi and Jake Wentzel each garnered the prestigious recognition after stellar years both on the mat and in the classroom for head coach Keith Gavin.
For Phillippi and Wentzel, the award makes them two-time NWCA Scholar All-Americans after receiving the honor last year as well, while Bonaccorsi earned his first nod.
Bethel Park native Bonaccorsi finished the 2021 campaign as an NCAA All-American after reaching the national final at 197 pounds and winning his first ACC title. He finished with a 13-2 record while excelling in the classroom as an English Literature major, also earning selection to the All-ACC Academic Team.
Hailing from Derry, Pa., Phillippi received another Scholar All-American from the NWCA after a strong campaign that saw him finish with an undefeated regular season before advancing to the Round of 12 at the NCAA Championships. The three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection is currently pursuing multiple bachelor's degrees in Communication as well as Legal Studies.
Wentzel also garnered his second NWCA Scholar All-American award after his best season on the mat. The NCAA All-American and national runner-up at 165 pounds, Wentzel established himself as a dominant top wrestler this past year and was named the ACC Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2021. The South Park, Pa., native has already completed an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and now studies Accounting in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business.
The trio each own a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) over 3.0, which made them eligible for selection to the NWCA Scholar All-America Team this year.
All three of Pitt's 2021 NWCA Scholar All-Americans will return for the 2021-22 season, giving Gavin one of the most decorated and experienced group of wrestling student-athletes in the nation.
#pinzburgh | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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