Pitt Wrestling
Pitt Wrestling Convincingly Defeats Illinois, 30-6
The No. 17 Pitt wrestling team took down Illinois, 30-6, in Saturday afternoon’s dual meet from the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. The Panthers’ win over Illinois comes on the heels of defeating No. 13 Lehigh in their last bout on Nov. 19. Pitt, who is now 3-1 on the season, faces Brown on Friday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Providence, R.I. The Panthers will then meet with Columbia on Sunday, Dec. 11 at noon in New York City.
Colton Camacho got things started for the Panthers with a pinfall on Maximo Renteria in the 125-pound weight class. Then at 133 pounds, Micky Phillippi defeated No. 6 Lucas Byrd by decision to increase the Panthers’ lead to 9-0. Phillippi got revenge on Byrd from a loss in the NCAA Tournament this past March.
Cole Matthews, who ranks No. 1 in the country at 141 pounds, executed a decisive takedown in the second period against Danny Pucino to win by decision, 4-2. Tyler Badgett followed with a 4-2 win by decision over Kevon Davenport in the 149-pound weight class, and Pitt was out to a 15-0 advantage after four bouts. At 157 pounds, Dazjon Casto pinned Luke Odom at 4:58 to tack on six points to Pitt’s lead.
CASTO GOES CRAZY @DazjonC 🔥
Several big moves before he finishes ANOTHER pin for the Panthers!
Pitt 21, Illinois 0 #H2P » #PINZBURGH pic.twitter.com/EPfuqTUuVq
— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) December 3, 2022
Illinois finally won a bout, as 165-pounder Danny Braunagel defeated Holden Heller by a sudden victory decision, 9-7. No. 14 Heller’s loss to No. 19 Braunagel was his first of the year. At 174 pounds, No. 10 Edmond Ruth got a 3-1 sudden victory decision over No. 33 Luca Augustine to give the Illini two consecutive won matches. Reece Heller answered with a convincing 8-1 decision over Dylan Connell to give the Panthers a 24-6 lead. All-American 197-pounder Nino Bonaccorsi then squeaked out a 3-1 sudden victory decision over No. 15 Zac Braunagel. Heavyweight Jake Slinger recorded a 2-0 shutout victory over Matt Wroblewski to cap Pitt’s 30-6 win over the Illini.
Another ranked W for @NeenBon 🔥
SV over #15 Zac Braunagel 👏
Pitt 27, Illinois 6 #H2P » #PINZBURGH pic.twitter.com/y7N4UBRqrk
— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) December 3, 2022
