University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Oklahoma State
No. 15 Pitt Hosts No. 5 Oklahoma State, Travels to No. 4 Iowa State
1/11/2024 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—Arguably the toughest schedule in college wrestling continues this weekend when the 15th-ranked Pitt Panthers (7-3) face a pair of top-five opponents in exciting nonconference duals.
With a win at then-No. 5 Ohio State already on the résumé this season, Pitt will have two more opportunities to knock off elite competition on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
First, undefeated No. 5 Oklahoma State (5-0) comes to the Fitzgerald Field House on Friday for a 7 p.m. dual. The Panthers, who will honor 2023 national champion Nino Bonaccorsi during the dual and give out 400 mini banners to fans to commemorate his achievement, last beat a top-five team at home a decade ago when the Cowboys visited and left Pittsburgh with a 19-18 defeat on Jan. 19, 2014.
In addition to the Bonaccorsi mini banners and 2023 NCAA title recognition for the reigning national champion at 197 pounds, Pitt will also provide a Friday Happy Hour at the Fitzgerald Field House with 50% off all domestic beers at the concession stand. Be there when doors open at 6 p.m.
Then the Panthers will head to Ames, Iowa for a meeting with No. 4 Iowa State – a rematch of a December dual in Nashville that the Cyclones (8-1) narrowly won, 21-14.
Sunday's 3 p.m. ET dual will air on the ESPN app and require an ESPN+ subscription.
Pitt's projected lineup features nine ranked wrestlers, highlighted by No. 8 Holden Heller at 165 pounds and No. 9 Dayton Pitzer at heavyweight.
All five of Pitt's upperweight individuals are ranked in the top 15 of their respective weight classes this week by InterMat, including No. 15 Luca Augustine at 174 pounds, No. 12 Reece Heller at 184 pounds and No. 15 Mac Stout at 197 pounds, meaning the Panthers will never be out of a dual.
The Panthers could come up against 10 ranked individuals versus both Oklahoma State and Iowa State, making this a weekend full of quality-win opportunities for Keith Gavin's team, who are preparing for the upcoming ACC dual meet schedule and all-important 2024 postseason.
Check out all of the probables, stats and notes for this weekend's Pitt wrestling action here.
Follow @Pitt_WRES for live updates on Friday and Sunday from both dramatic duals.
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