Pitt’s Bonaccorsi Wins U23 Freestyle Nationals, Makes USA World Team
6/1/2021 4:00:00 PM | Wrestling
LINCOLN, Neb.—University of Pittsburgh wrestler Nino Bonaccorsi continued to establish himself as one of the nation's top emerging talents on the mat this past weekend as he won the 92-kilogram freestyle title at the United World Wrestling Under-23 National Championships.
Bonaccorsi cruised his way to the semifinals of his bracket, not conceding a point in his first three matches. He then defeated Michigan State's Cameron Caffey 5-4 with a late boundary point before convincingly beating Missouri's Rocky Elam in the best-of-three final to secure the championship.
By winning the national U23 freestyle title, Bonaccorsi earned a place on his first USA Wrestling World Team. The native of Bethel Park, Pa., who represented Pitt in the 197-pound final at the 2021 NCAA Championships last March in St. Louis, will now represent Team USA when he travels to Serbia in November for the UWW U23 World Championships in Belgrade.
Two other current Panthers who represented Pitt at the 2021 ACC Championships a few months ago also finished as freestyle placewinners at UWW U23 Nationals.
Rising sophomore Mick Burnett placed seventh at 65 kilograms, while fellow sophomore Austin Cooley took eighth at 97 kilograms.
In total, Pitt sent nine current student-athletes to Lincoln for the tournament, including Ryan Michaels, Luke Kemerer, Antonio Petrucelli, Tye Weathersby, Jared McGill and Jake Slinger.
Additionally, Pitt wrestling alum and current Columbia assistant coach Shelton Mack won the UWW Pan-American freestyle championship at 61 kilograms over the weekend in Guatemala, continuing his rise on the international stage.
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Bonaccorsi cruised his way to the semifinals of his bracket, not conceding a point in his first three matches. He then defeated Michigan State's Cameron Caffey 5-4 with a late boundary point before convincingly beating Missouri's Rocky Elam in the best-of-three final to secure the championship.
By winning the national U23 freestyle title, Bonaccorsi earned a place on his first USA Wrestling World Team. The native of Bethel Park, Pa., who represented Pitt in the 197-pound final at the 2021 NCAA Championships last March in St. Louis, will now represent Team USA when he travels to Serbia in November for the UWW U23 World Championships in Belgrade.
UWW U23 National Champion ??
— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) May 29, 2021
Nino Bonaccorsi wins the 92kg title and will represent Team USA at the UWW U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia this November! ???? #H2P ?? @NeenBon pic.twitter.com/Q3TZNxNYwM
Two other current Panthers who represented Pitt at the 2021 ACC Championships a few months ago also finished as freestyle placewinners at UWW U23 Nationals.
Rising sophomore Mick Burnett placed seventh at 65 kilograms, while fellow sophomore Austin Cooley took eighth at 97 kilograms.
In total, Pitt sent nine current student-athletes to Lincoln for the tournament, including Ryan Michaels, Luke Kemerer, Antonio Petrucelli, Tye Weathersby, Jared McGill and Jake Slinger.
Additionally, Pitt wrestling alum and current Columbia assistant coach Shelton Mack won the UWW Pan-American freestyle championship at 61 kilograms over the weekend in Guatemala, continuing his rise on the international stage.
?? CHAMPION!! ??
— Columbia Wrestling (@CULionsWR) May 31, 2021
Coach @SMack133 runs the Men's Freestyle table at 61kg to be crowned a Pan American Champion for @USAWrestling ????. ????#Champion | #Team119 | #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/KHaYIbaOXE
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