The Pitt Panthers had not been ranked in 2,591 days till being slotted No. 25 on final week’s AP High 25. Pitt completed the 2022-23 house schedule successful its closing six video games in a row on the Petersen Occasions Heart however faltered in its closing two matchups on the street.

Within the March sixth version of the up to date AP Ballot, the Panthers fell out of the High 25 and acquired 10 whole votes, tied for No. 33 general. Virginia (No. 13, 791 factors), Miami (No. 14, 761 factors), and Duke (No. 21, 293 factors) characterize the ACC within the rankings. West Virginia acquired 15 votes to identify simply forward of the Panthers. 

Pitt wanted to win one among its closing two video games to personal a share of the 2022-23 ACC regular-season title. Successful each would have secured an outright championship. The Panthers misplaced at Notre Dame (88-81) in Combating Irish head coach Mike Brey’s closing house recreation. Jeff Capel’s crew fell within the closing seconds at Miami (78-76) Saturday evening and dropped from tied for first to fifth within the ACC. 

Pitt acquired 140 votes to rank No. 25 on the AP rankings final week because the third-highest ACC crew behind Virginia (No. 13, 718 votes) and Miami (No. 16, 668 votes). Duke (78), NC State (6), and Clemson (5) additionally acquired votes. 

The Panthers sat as excessive as No. 20 through the 2015-16 marketing campaign beneath head coach Jamie Dixon. It additionally marked the final time Pitt reached the NCAA event, dropping 47-43 to No. 7 seed Wisconsin. Pitt entered March Insanity a No. 10 seed following a 21-12 general document and 9-9 ACC mark. Dixon’s TCU Horn Frogs rank No. 22 on the AP Ballot after being beforehand unranked. 

Andy Katz positioned the Panthers No. 35 general on his Energy 36, down 13 spots from No. 22 final week. Miami (No. 8) improved 4 spots after clinching a share of the ACC common season whereas Duke (No. 13) moved up from No. 18 and Virginia (No. 21) slotted 9 spots larger. West Virginia (No. 23) and Penn State (No. 28) moved forward of Pitt after failing to make the minimize final week. 

Regardless of dropping back-to-back video games, CBS Sports activities’ Jon Rothstein moved Pitt from No. 26 to 25 on his newest ROTHSTEIN 45, noting Pitt WILL play within the NCAA Match. Miami (No. 10), Virginia (No. 15), and Duke (No. 23) are larger than Pitt whereas West Virginia (No. 41) and Penn State (No. 44) path behind. 

Pitt will face the winner of Florida State and Georgia Tech Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. 

RALEIGH, N.C. — Pitt completed in third place on the 2023 Wrestling Championships at Reynolds Coliseum Sunday. Two Pitt wrestlers gained a title, one completed in second, three gained third place matches and 6 wrestlers earned automated qualifying spots of their weight courses.

The Panthers completed with a complete of 60.0 factors on the Wrestling Championships. NC State gained the Championships with 101.5 factors and Virginia Tech completed in second place with 78.0 factors. Behind Pitt got here North Carolina in fourth place with 37.0 factors, Virginia in fifth place with 35.0 factors and Duke in final place with 14.0 factors. That is the third straight 12 months the Panthers have completed in third place on the ACC Championships.

Pitt wrestling protection on Pittsburgh Sports activities Now’s sponsored by the Pittsburgh Wrestling Membership.

197 Kilos

No. 1 Pitt redshirt senior Nino Bonaccorsi (16-0) earned a First Spherical bye and wrestled in opposition to No. 4 Virginia graduate Michael Battista within the Semifinals.

He managed the match and defeated Battista in a 12-3 main resolution to maneuver onto the Remaining for the fourth time and incomes himself his fifth straight look on the NCAA Championships.

Bonaccorsi confronted off in opposition to No. 3 NC State sophomore Isaac Trumble within the Remaining. Bonaccorsi scored two factors off an escape and a locked palms violation, which he used to win a 2-1 resolution over Trumble.

No. 1 Pitt’s Nino Bonaccorsi wins his third straight ACC Title at 197 kilos with a 2-1 resolution over No. 3 NC State’s Isaac Trumble. pic.twitter.com/IFLmJf00bl

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) March 6, 2023

The victory serves as Bonaccorsi’s third straight ACC title, the longest streak for a Pitt wrestler within the convention. It is usually the second victory for Bonaccorsi over Trumble this season and the second straight time he has defeated him for an ACC title.

Bonaccorsi mentioned after the match that he felt nice successful one other title in such a aggressive convention just like the ACC. He additionally congratulated Trumble on his tenacity as a wrestler and the way Trumble has challenged him to enhance as wrestler going ahead to compete at NCAA Championships.

“He’s a tricky child,” Bonaccorsi mentioned. “Actually respect him loads. He’s a tricky competitor. Sport plan was simply to attain factors. Simply go on the market and rating factors. That’s my recreation plan for everybody. Simply attempt to rating as many level as potential. Clearly, tonight was not tremendous excessive scoring. Stuff I undoubtedly should working to get my ties and my photographs extra somewhat bit. With such a tricky man like him it’s nice to have such shut matches. All of them get me prepared for the top of the season. Actually grateful for him as an opponent.”

141 Kilos

No. 1 redshirt senior Cole Matthews (19-1) earned a First Spherical bye and wrestled No. 4 Virginia Tech first-year Tom Criminal within the Semifinals. He used two takedowns and an escape to defeat Criminal in a 6-3 resolution and transfer on to the Remaining.

Matthews battled with No. 2 sophomore Ryan Jack within the Remaining for the second straight season. Matthews constructed up using time within the second interval and gained the Remaining in a 2-1 resolution due to it, whereas additionally warding off photographs from Jack all through.

Pitt No. 1 Cole Matthews defeats No. 3 NC state’s Ryan Jack On using time in a 2-1 resolution for the second straight 12 months to make it back-to-back ACC Titles at 141 kilos pic.twitter.com/tFp0YDEYmS

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) March 6, 2023

The win is the second straight ACC title for Matthews and second consecutive defeating Jack. He’s now 4-0 in opposition to Jack up to now two season as nicely.

“We each wish to roll round so, it may get somewhat scary once you begin wrestling a man like Ryan [Jack] does,” Matthews mentioned on his opponent. “I attempt to preserve my composure. Maintain my palms down and be prepared for no matter assault he brings.”

133 Kilos 

No. 1 Pitt redshirt senior Micky Phillippi (13-3) earned a First Spherical bye and confronted off in opposition to No. 5 Virginia sophomore Marlon Yarbrough within the Semifinals.

Phillippi defeated Yarbrough in a 5-2 resolution off two takedowns and an escape to maneuver onto the Remaining. With the win, Phillippi turned the second Panther to clinch an automated qualifier spot on the NCAA Championships, making it his fifth time doing so.

Phillippi and No. 3 NC State redshirt sophomore Kai Orine battled within the Remaining carefully all through and solely scored one level after three intervals, forcing extra time. Orine defeated Phillippi with a superb takedown for a 3-1 sudden victory, giving him the ACC Title.

No. 3 NC State’s Kai Orine beats No. 1 Pitt’s Micky Phillippi with a takedown for a 3-1 victory.

Phillippi ends his Pitt profession at ACC Championships with three straight runners up finishes at 133 kilos pic.twitter.com/xwAHp8JrFI

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) March 6, 2023

The loss for Phillippi makes it three straight years he completed as a runner up and in addition makes him a five-time consecutive finalist at 133 kilos, as he gained titles in 2019 and 2020. The loss can also be the second this season for Phillippi in opposition to Orine, as he misplaced 3-1 on tiebreakers on Feb. 10.

125 Kilos 

No. 4 redshirt junior Colton Camacho (18-9) gained a 11-2 main resolution over No. 5 Virginia fifth 12 months Patrick McCormick within the First Spherical.

He wanted to win his matchup with No. 1 NC State redshirt junior Jarrett Trombley within the ACC Semifinals to earn a spot within the finals. Camacho saved it shut with Trombley early on, however Trombley broke the impasse at 3-3 within the second interval with a reversal and 4 again factors, en path to a 9-5 resolution.

The loss meant that he additionally missed out on a NCAA automated qualifier spot, because the NCAA solely allotted two for the convention at his weight class.

Regardless of lacking out on the finals and an automated bid, Camacho solid on and saved on wrestling.

He simply dealt with No. 6 Duke first-year Ethan Grimminger within the Comfort Semifinals, successful a 17-3 main resolution.

Camacho then confronted No. 3 North Carolina graduate Jack Wagner within the Third Place match. Each wrestlers discovered themselves deadlocked at 1-1 within the third interval, till Camacho made an necessary takedown. Wagner acquired an escape late and threatened to attain, however Camacho held on for the Third Place victory in a 3-2 resolution.

165 Kilos

No. 1 redshirt senior Holden Heller (14-6) earned a First Spherical bye and wrestled No. 4 Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore Connor Brady within the Semifinals.

Holden Heller had bother coping with Brady all the match and misplaced a in a 7-5 resolution. That loss was the primary for Holden Heller within the ACC this season.

Shifting on to the Comfort semifinals, Holden Heller defeated No. 6 Duke redshirt senior Gabe Dinette in a detailed 5-4 resolution.

Holden Heller then confronted off in opposition to No. 3 NC State first-year Matthew Singleton within the Third Place Match. Holden Heller began out with an 8-1 lead after the primary interval, thanks to 2 takedowns and 4 again factors.

Singleton got here again with two again factors after which 4 extra again factors to chop the result in simply 8-7 after two intervals. Holden Heller managed to stick with it and acquired yet one more takedown within the third interval to win Third Place on a 10-7 resolution.

Successful Third Place for Holden Heller meant he earned an automated NCAA qualifier spot.

174 Kilos 

No. 3 Pitt redshirt first-year Luca Augustine earned a First Spherical bye after Duke didn’t put anybody at 174 kilos.

He wrestled No. 2 NC State redshirt junior Alex Faison within the Semifinals. Like of their first matchup, Faison took a detailed win, in a 3-2 resolution over Augustine. A Faison takedown of Augustine within the second interval proved to be the distinction within the match ultimately.

Augustine defeated No. 4 UNC redshirt senior Michael Goldfeder in a 4-0 resolution within the Comfort Semifinals. He then beat No. 5 Virginia fifth 12 months Victor Marcelli within the Third Place match in a 3-1 resolution with a takedown and an escape, clinching the final automated qualifier spot for the NCAA Championships.

Pitt head coach Keith Gavin spoke on Augustine’s improvement all through the season. He mentioned that he anticipated him to do in addition to he has achieved this season and in addition to develop on the NCAA Championships subsequent week.

“Luca’s [Augustine] gonna work actually onerous. It’s going to be a extremely unhealthy draw for any person as a result of he’s going to carry it. Lengthy-term talking it’s good for his improvement to get there [NCAAs] as a freshman. That’s what we count on of him to be there proper now.”

184 Kilos 

No. 5 Pitt redshirt junior Reece Heller gained a 12-3 main resolution over No. 4 Virginia graduate Neil Antrassian within the First Spherical. Reece Heller acquired revenge on Antrassian, who he misplaced to in a 7-3 resolution on Jan. 20. 

Reece Heller didn’t progress to the Remaining, as he stood no likelihood in opposition to No. 1 NC State redshirt junior Trent Hidlay, shedding in a 23-5 technical fall resolution within the Semifinals.

He then majored No. 6 Duke junior Jack Wimmer, 12-0 within the Comfort Semifinals. This put him within the Third Place Match and in addition formally earned him one of many 5 automated qualifying spots at his weight class for the NCAA Championships.

Wrestling in opposition to No. 2 Virginia Tech first-year Hunter Bolen within the Third Place match, he fell behind 4-2 after two intervals. Reece Heller then escaped and acquired a takedown to take a late 5-4 lead. Bolen managed to counter this, with a reversal simply earlier than the buzzer to win Third Place, 7-5.

Heavyweight (285)

No. 4 Pitt senior Mike Slinger (9-9) earned a 3-1 sudden victory over No. 5 UNC senior Brandon Whitman within the First Spherical, for his first victory since Jan. 20. 

Slinger moved on to the Semifinals to tackle No. 1 Duke senior Jonah Niesenbaum. Each wrestlers saved it shut, however a Niesenbaum takedown proved the distinction, as he defeated Slinger, 3-2 for the second time in three weekends.

No. 6 Virginia senior Ethan Weatherspoon made three takedowns en path to a 7-4 resolution over Slinger within the Comfort Semifinals. This loss ended Slinger’s season, as there are solely three automated qualifier spots in his weight class, and his profession at Pitt.

149 Kilos 

No. 4 Pitt redshirt sophomore Tyler Badgett (16-12) began the day with a disappointing loss No. 5 North Carolina graduate Zach Sherman in a  7-2 resolution within the First Spherical.

Badgett wrestled No. 3 Virginia graduate Jarod Verkleeren within the Consolations Semifinals. He misplaced a detailed, 3-2 resolution to Verkeleeren, ending his day.

He missed his alternative to earn an automated qualifier spot for NCAA Championships, as there are solely three for his weight class.

157 Kilos 

No. 4 senior Dazjon Casto additionally had a day to overlook on the match on the ACC Championships. He misplaced a 5-4 resolution after using time to No. 5 Virginia graduate Jake Keating within the First Spherical. Keating acquired revenge on Casto, after Casto defeated him in a 14-8 resolution on Jan. 20. 

Casto then saved it shut with No. 3 NC State sophomore Ed Scott within the Comfort Semifinals, in comparison with his 19-3 technical fall loss in opposition to him on Feb. 10.   . Scott stayed on the defensive and held Casto scoreless, and ended up successful a 4-0 resolution.

The loss ended Casto’s day and in addition his likelihood at an automated NCAA qualifier spot, as there are solely three at his weight class, due to this fact, ending his Pitt profession with a profession 6-9 file in 2022-23.

Pitt will carry not less than six wrestlers to the NCAA Wrestling Championships to Tulsa, Okla. March 16-18, with a couple of having an opportunity to win a person Nationwide Title since Gavin did it at Pitt at 174 kilos in 2008.

Listed below are the Panthers who earned automated qualifying spots on Sunday.

133: Redshirt senior Micky Phillippi

141: Redshirt senior Cole Matthews

165: Redshirt senior Holden Heler

174: Redshirt first-year Luca Augustine

184: Redshirt junior Reece Heller

197: Redshirt senior Nino Bonaccorsi.

Pitt fought again within the fourth interval however in the end fell to Louisville, 12-9, on Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium. With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-3 on the season and 0-2 in ACC play.

Louisville out-shot Pitt, 29-28. The Panthers edged Louisville in pictures on objective, nonetheless, 18-17. The Cardinals had the clear benefit in free place pictures (9-2), floor balls (17-12) and brought about turnovers (9-6).

Lower than a minute into the sport, Pitt’s Camdyn O’Donnell ripped one previous Louisville goaltender Sara Addeche to place the Panthers up 1-0. Sydney Naylor then put one at the back of the web, her eighth objective of the season. Louisville rebounded with objectives from Kokoro Nakazawa, Hannah Morris and Nicole Perroni to take the lead on the 9:40 mark of the primary interval. Pitt scored two extra objectives close to the top of the interval to go into the second with a 4-3 benefit.

To start the second, Nicole Perroni scored on a free place shot to tie the sport at 4-4. The Cardinals then went on a run with 4 extra objectives, whereas the Panthers went scoreless within the interval.

Ava Washington stopped the Cardinals’ run with a objective on the 7:46 mark of the third interval. Nonetheless, Negai Nakazawa answered with a rating to offer Louisville a 9-5 lead heading into the fourth. To start the ultimate interval, Pitt went on a three-goal scoring surge to get inside one rating. The Panthers obtained objectives from Emily Coughlin, Washington and Naylor. Naylor then scored on a free place shot to tie the sport at 9-9 with 8:49 remaining in regulation. It was Naylor’s third objective of the sport and the tenth of the season.

The Panthers have been unable to shut after their 4 unanswered objectives though, as Louisville obtained objectives from Negai Nakazawa, Perroni and Kokoro Nakazawa to safe a 12-9 win for the Cardinals. Morris and Perroni led Louisville with three objectives every, whereas the Nakazawa sisters each had two objectives. Naylor led the Panthers with three objectives, whereas O’Donnell and Washington every had two objectives.

The Panthers subsequent recreation is on Saturday, March 11 towards Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Face-off is at 12 p.m and the sport may be streamed on the ACC Community.