University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt, Cole Matthews Earn NCAA, ACC Wrestling Awards
12/12/2023 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—Pitt was recognized as the NCAA Wrestling Team of the Week and senior team captain Cole Matthews was named ACC Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday following the Panthers' remarkable 21-13 win over No. 5 Ohio State on Sunday in Columbus.
It marks the first time that Keith Gavin's squad has received the national award for Team of the Week, and it was certainly deserved after the Panthers (6-1) earned their first top-5 win in nearly a decade.
In winning six bouts and taking an eight-point win at the Covelli Center, Pitt handed Ohio States its biggest home defeat to a nonconference opponent since 2006.
The Panthers moved up from No. 19 to No. 13 in the NWCA Coaches Poll this week following their third consecutive victory over a Big Ten program, having beaten Maryland, Illinois and now the Buckeyes.
A native of Greenville, Pa., Matthews had struggled to start his final season of college wrestling but responded to win in his toughest test yet this season, defeating No. 3 at 141 pounds and previously undefeated Jesse Mendez by 4-2 decision thanks to a last-second takedown.
The moment for the two-time reigning ACC champion and former NCAA All-American sparked emotional celebrations from both Matthews and his coaches and teammates, as the win gave Pitt a 6-3 lead in the dual and encouraged belief among the entire team that an upset in Columbus was possible on Sunday.
Matthews wins the ACC's weekly award for the third time in his career, giving Pitt a third ACC Wrestler of the Week this season after Mac Stout and Dayton Pitzer had previously won in 2023-24.
The Panthers head to Nashville for a trio of duals at the prestigious National Collegiate Duals on Monday against No. 5 Cornell, No. 6 Iowa State and Little Rock before taking a break until after the New Year.
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