University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Athletics Top Moments of 2022
12/31/2022 5:58:00 PM | General
February - Softball | Pitt Celebrates 25th Anniversary and Hosts ACC Championship
The 2022 season marks a milestone year for the program, as Pitt softball celebrated its 25th anniversary of collegiate competition. The Pitt softball program began its inaugural season in 1998 as a member of the Big East Conference before moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference in the fall of 2013. The 25th anniversary season also saw the Panthers host the 2022 ACC Softball Championship for the first time in program history at Vartabedian Field.
March 6 - Wrestling | Pitt Crowns Three ACC Champions
Keith Gavin's Panthers started the 2022 postseason in excellent fashion by crowning three individuals as ACC champions. At 165 pounds, Jake Wentzel became Pitt's first three-time ACC champion. Nino Bonaccorsi repeated at 197 pounds for his second ACC title. And Cole Matthews, who would go on to earn All-America status at 141 pounds at the 2022 NCAA Championships in Detroit, won his first ACC championship and solidified himself as one of the best young wrestlers in the country.
March 19 - Gymnastics | Hallie Copperwheat Awarded Rookie of the Year
Hallie Copperwheat was awarded Rookie of the Year at the 2022 EAGL Championship. Throughout the season, Copperwheat earned the third highest all-around score in program history (39.500), garnered seven individual titles – the most of anyone on the team, qualified for NCAA Regionals, and was the second freshman in Pitt history to be named EAGL Gymnast of the Week after her impressive all-around win in a quad meet with NC State, West Virginia and Alaska.
April 27 - Women's Lacrosse | First ACC Tournament Win During Inaugural Season
During the inaugural season of Pitt Women's Lacrosse, the Panthers earned their first ACC Tournament win with a 13-10 victory over Louisville in the opening round of the 2022 ACC Women's Lacrosse Championship at Arlotta Stadium. Second Team All-ACC selection Paulina DiFatta set an ACC Championship record with 19 saves to anchor the Pitt defense to defeat the Cardinals for the second time on the season. DiFatta along with Paige Petty earned All-America honors during the inaugural season of Pitt Lacrosse.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, ACC Network (ACCN) followed Pitt Lacrosse throughout the season and released a behind-the-scenes look at the program in its first official season as an NCAA Division I program with All Access with Pitt Women's Lacrosse: The Inaugural Season.
April 28 - Football | Kenny Pickett Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
The entire city of Pittsburgh felt the emotions of a special NFL Draft night when the Steelers selected Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett with their first-round selection, keeping a collegiate icon in the City of Champions for the beginning of his professional career. After leading Pitt to the 2021 ACC championship and being named a Heisman Trophy finalist, the moment, which was announced by the now late Franco Harris in dramatic fashion, was a storybook ending to Pickett's historic five-year spell with the Panthers.
February & May - Track & Field | Felix Wolter Earns Two Individual ACC Titles
Felix Wolter continued his dominance in the multis at Pitt claiming his second consecutive heptathlon title at the ACC Indoor Championship in February before collecting the Panthers' first outdoor decathlon crown at the ACC Outdoor Championship in May. He set a school record score of 5,979 in the heptathlon to earn another trip to the NCAA Indoor Championship where he garnered Second Team All-America accolades. Wolter set a facility record in the decathlon (7,880) at Duke to earn a bid to the NCAA Outdoor Championship. He was unable to compete at the outdoor NCAAs due to an injury.
May 28 - Baseball | Panthers Reach Semifinals in ACC Tournament
The baseball team made a run to the 2022 ACC Tournament semifinals as the No. 11 seed. The Panthers won Pool B by upsetting seventh-seeded Georgia Tech, 12-6, and second-seeded Louisville, 6-5. Pitt scored 10 unanswered runs in roll to the victory over Georgia Tech as Ron Washington Jr. went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI, leading a Panther offense that collected 16 hits. Bryce Hulett lifted Pitt to win over Louisville courtesy of a dramatic two-out, walk-off RBI single.
June 23 - Athletics | "Hail to Her" – Year Long Title IX Celebration
Pitt Athletics launched its year-long celebration of women's athletics at the University of Pittsburgh titled "Hail to Her" Thursday, June 23 on the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX. Pitt opened its Title IX Anniversary with a celebratory reception for staff and student-athletes, release of the Hail to Her logo, Title IX microsite launch, release of its redesign of PittsburghPanthers.com, and the ACC Network's exclusive premiere of the one-hour documentary All Access with Pitt Women's Lacrosse: The Inaugural Season.
"June 23, 2022 is a momentous day as it gives us the opportunity to celebrate 50 years since the passage of Title IX and the opportunities the law created for women in sports," said Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "Our year-long celebration is a display of appreciation to the giant shoulders we all stand on from the women who paved the way and more importantly allows us to focus on the next 50 years and the continued progress we will make for women."
In commemoration of "Hail to Her," Pitt Athletics developed multiple Title IX initiatives. Updates on other Title IX initiatives as they are finalized are available at www.PittsburghPanthers.com/TitleIX.
September 1 - Football | Pitt Beats West Virginia 38-31 in Backyard Brawl Thriller
Pitt opened the 2022 college football season on the biggest stage with an epic return to the Backyard Brawl rivalry against West Virginia in front of the largest crowd to ever attend a sporting event in the city of Pittsburgh (70,622). ESPN's Thursday Night opener from Acrisure Stadium delivered with one of the games of the season, culminating in a Pitt win thanks to an Israel Abanikanda touchdown catch to tie the game and, seconds later, M.J. Devonshire's interception return for a touchdown in the final minutes in a play that will be remembered forever by Pitt fans and every person in the stadium that night.
September 30 - Athletics | Pitt Athletics Honors 2022 Hall of Fame Class
The University of Pittsburgh honored 12 members of the 2022 Hall of Fame class at this year's Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner, presented by PNC, Friday, Sept. 30 at Acrisure Stadium.
Donna DeMarino Sanft (Gymnastics Student-Athlete and Coach), Ann Marie Lucanie (Volleyball) and Pat Santoro (Wrestling), originally members of the 2020 Hall of Fame class, were recognized this year after being unable to participate in last year's induction. They were joined in the ceremony by Keisha Demas (Women's Track & Field), Russ Grimm (Football), Larry Harris (Men's Basketball), Rickey Jackson (Football), Jerome Lane (Men's Basketball), Debbie Lewis (Women's Basketball), Angela Lopez (Women's Swimming), Jerry Richey (Men's Track & Field), and Rande Stottlemyer (Wrestling Student-Athlete & Coach; Posthumous).
Profiles for all Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are available HERE.
October 9 - Football | Abanikanda Named Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week After Record-Setting Performance
Israel Abanikanda was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week for his historic performance in the Panthers' 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech. Facing a top-25 rushing defense, Abanikanda went off for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.).
Abanikanda broke the legendary Tony Dorsett's school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Additionally, Abanikanda tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.
In ACC annals, Abanikanda tied the conference single-game rushing TDs mark held by North Carolina's Kelvin Bryant (set against East Carolina on Sept. 12, 1981). Abanikanda's rushing yardage also ranks fourth all-time among ACC backs.
Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joins LaDanian Tomlinson and Rickey Williams as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.
October 20 - Athletics | Dr. Bettina Love, Herb Douglas Receive ACC UNITE Award
The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Forever Panthers Dr. Bettina Love, and Herb Douglas as recipients of the 2022 ACC UNITE Award, an award created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice.
November 7 - Swimming & Diving | Dylan Reed Becomes First Pitt Diver Named to Team USA
Senior diver Dylan Reed, a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier, received an invitation to the 2022-23 USA Diving High Performance Squad in November. Reed became the first member of the Pitt diving program to garner an invitation to Team USA.
Nov. 2022 - Women's Soccer | Panthers Record Historic Season
The women's soccer team set program records for overall wins (14) and ACC wins (5) and qualified for both the ACC Championship and NCAA Championship fields for the first time in program history. Pitt finished the season at No. 12 in the United Soccer Coaches Rankings. The Panthers reached the Sweet Sixteen in their first NCAA Tournament appearance after knocking off Buffalo in the First Round, 1-0, and Georgetown in the Second Round, 2-1. The team set single season program records for points (138) and goals (47).
Nov. 10, 2022 - Athletics | Victory Heights Project Approved by Pitt's Property and Facilities Committee
On Thursday, Nov. 10, Pitt's Property and Facilities Committee officially approved the project, clearing the way for groundbreaking and construction to begin. The $240 million project will include a 3,000-seat arena for gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling along with a cutting-edge athletic performance center that will serve the strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition, and mental well-being needs for 16 of Pitt's 19 intercollegiate athletics programs.
"We are incredibly grateful for the University's support and commitment to Victory Heights and an ambitious future for Pitt Athletics," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "The University of Pittsburgh is committed to excellence in every endeavor it undertakes. Victory Heights is the latest example of Pitt's vision to transform our training and teaching environments to allow our student-athletes to achieve at the highest competitive levels. This is more than an investment in facilities; it's an investment in our young people and their championship dreams at Pitt."
November 16 - Women's Basketball | Panthers Explode for 93 points in School Day Victory Over Bryant
In front of 3,154 school-aged kids on Nov. 16, the Panthers had their best offensive showing against a Division I opponent since 2014 as they handed the Bryant Bulldogs the 93-54 defeat. Pitt was on fire shooting the basketball as they shot 60.7% from the floor and 52.2% from behind the arc, marking the first time since 2012 the Panthers shot over 60% from the floor in a game. Leading the way for the Panthers was sophomore Maliyah Johnson who finished with a career-high 20 points in 20 minutes of work, while Liatu King posted a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds in the win.
November 19 - Cross Country | Jack Miller and Luke Henseler Head to the NCAA Championships for the First Time Since 1994
The Pitt men's cross-country squad had one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory this past season with a pair of runners qualifying for the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time in program history. Jack Miller and Luke Henseler became the first Pitt men to qualify for the Championship meet since Mike Umbleby in 1994. Miller earned his first trip to the Championship meet after securing a seventh-place finish at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals, while Henseler punched his ticket with a 13th place finish at regionals. Miller and Henseler helped the Panthers secure the fifth-place finish at the regional meet, tying the best finish in program history.
December 1-2 - Swimming & Diving | Sophie Yendell Breaks Two School Records
Sophie Yendell broke two of her own school records in the 50-yard free (22.34) and the 100-yard fly (53.43) at the Minnesota Invite in early December. The junior has etched her name in the Pitt record books as she now holds a total of three Pitt records in the 50-yard free, 100-yard fly and as a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team.
December 3 - Men's Soccer | Hosting (and Winning) the First Elite Eight Match in Program History at Ambrose Urbanic Field
The Panthers earned an upset victory over No. 1 Kentucky on the road to secure their first Elite Eight home match in program history Dec. 3 as they hosted Portland at Ambrose Urbanic Field. For the first time in program history, it was an announced sellout crowd who watched the Panthers earn a 1-0 double overtime victory thanks to Valentin Noel who netted the game-winner in the 104th minute. With the win, Pitt advanced to their second College Cup in the past three seasons.
December 10 - Volleyball | Going Back to the Final Four
Pitt Volleyball secured its place in the Final Four for the second year in a row, upsetting No. 1 seed and defending National Champions, Wisconsin at the UW Field House Dec. 10. The Panthers punched their ticket in a five-set thriller, becoming the first team in the history of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament to win a set, let alone a match, against the defending national champion when they are hosting an Elite 8 match. The Badgers were ranked No. 2 in the nation in the Coaches' Poll, marking the highest ranked win in program history, alongside Pitt's 3-2 victory over No. 2 Louisville earlier in the season.
December 22 - Men's Soccer | Bertin Jacquesson, Valentin Noel and Jackson Walti Drafted
For the first time in program history, the Panthers had three players drafted in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft on Dec. 21. Bertin Jacquesson became the highest draft pick in program history as he was selected with the No. 16 pick in the draft by Real Salt Lake while Valentin Noel was also taken in the First Round, going No. 20 overall to Austin FC. Jacquesson and Noel are the first teammates selected in the First 20 picks of a professional draft at Pitt since 1985 (Football). Four-year captain Jackson Walti was the third Panther selected in the draft as he went No. 56 overall to Austin FC.
December 30 - Men's Basketball | Panthers Have a 3-0 Start in Conference Play
Pitt opened the 2022-23 Atlantic Coast Conference schedule with road wins over NC State and Syracuse and a home win over No. 25 North Carolina for its first 3-0 start in conference play since the 2015-16 season. Jamarius Burton posted a career-high 31 points on an efficient 14-of-17 shooting from the field to lead Pitt to a 76-74 win over No. 25 North Carolina at the Petersen Events Center. Blake Hinson put the Tar Heels away, making a 3-pointer from the right wing to give Pitt the lead for good 70-67 with 1:28 remaining, then extending the Panthers' lead by making two free throws with 36 seconds left and two more with 28 seconds to go to make it 74-69.
Won not done ?? #H2P pic.twitter.com/gXYv2QYYI7
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) December 30, 2022
End of Year Bonus
December 30 - Football | Patti & Sauls Lead Panthers to Dramatic Sun Bowl Victory
Ben Sauls kicked a Sun Bowl record five field goals, including a 47-yarder in the final seconds, and Pitt beat No. 18 UCLA 37-35 in a wild, back-and-forth contest. UCLA (9-4) grabbed a 35-34 lead on T.J. Harden's 8-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds remaining. With Pitt down 1 with 34 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, quarterback Nick Patti had completions of 18 yards to Jared Wayne and 17 yards to Bub Means before scrambled for 11 yards to the UCLA 29-yard line. After spiking the ball with 10 seconds left, Sauls came on to kick the game-winner and send the Panther faithful into the New Year on a high note.
