Pitt’s Cole Matthews Named ACC Wrestler of the Week
1/30/2024 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH—Pitt wrestling senior team captain Cole Matthews received recognition from the conference office on Tuesday as Co-ACC Wrestler of the Week alongside Virginia Tech's Tom Crook.
The sixth-year 141-pounder from Greenville, Pa., and the pride of Reynolds High School, earned his second win over a top-five opponent this season on Friday night at the Fitzgerald Field House, coming from behind to defeat No. 4 Ryan Jack of NC State in a thrilling 15-10 decision.
Matthews was also named ACC Wrestler of the Week after upsetting No. 3 Jesse Mendez of Ohio State in the Panthers' dual victory in Columbus back in December.
This marks the fourth career weekly ACC recognition for Matthews, who is the two-time ACC champion at 141 pounds, with both of those final wins coming over Jack.
Matthews improved to 5-0 against Jack, although this was by far the highest scoring of those bouts after Pitt's captain registered four takedowns against the Wolfpack's two-time NCAA qualifier.
Incredibly, Cole is 9-1 in his career against the top-six ranked wrestlers in his weight class based on the most recent InterMat national polls, with the only defeat coming in the final seconds of tiebreakers.
Pitt has now produced four ACC Wrestler of the Week individuals during the 2023-24 season, with redshirt freshmen Mac Stout at 197 pounds and Dayton Pitzer at heavyweight all winning.
Matthews and the Panthers will head south in conference action the next two Fridays, beginning with an ACC road trip to Duke on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. followed by a matchup at North Carolina on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
Both duals will be streamed live on the ESPN app via ACC Network Extra.
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