Pitt’s Dayton Pitzer Named ACC Wrestler of the Week
11/21/2023 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—The Atlantic Coast Conference honored Pitt redshirt freshman heavyweight Dayton Pitzer as its Wrestler of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.
Pitzer posted a perfect 2-0 mark during Pitt's successful doubleheader road trip to No. 17 Lehigh and Maryland on Sunday and Monday, defeating two top-20 opponents in the process.
A product of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., Pitzer improved to 4-1 this season in his first campaign as the Panthers' permanent starter at heavyweight. He was the 13th-ranked heavyweight in the nation last week but should climb the InterMat polls after his strong showings against the Mountain Hawks and Terrapins.
On Sunday afternoon in Bethlehem, Pitzer topped No. 11 Nathan Taylor of Lehigh to cap Pitt's 21-12 victory at Grace Hall. A reversal in the second period proved to be the difference in his 2-0 decision.
Then on Monday night at Maryland, Pitt's talented young heavyweight provided the most clutch moment of his career thus far, securing the dual for the No. 23 Panthers (4-1) in a must-win bout. A lengthy third-period ride gave Pitzer a decisive point in his 4-3 win over No. 19 Seth Nevills and allowed Pitt to escape College Park with a 21-16 team win over the Terrapins.
Pitzer is the second Pitt wrestler to win ACC Wrestler of the Week this season, followed by fellow redshirt freshman Mac Stout, who won the award after winning the Clarion Open title at 197 pounds.
Pitt wrestling returns to Fitzgerald Field House for its home opener on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. with another Big Ten opponent in Illinois ready to challenge the Panthers in dual action.
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