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Pitt Wrestling Obliterates Virginia, 35-7, On Senior Night

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Pitt wrestler Luca Augustine. Intermat

PITTSBURGH — Pitt wrestling finished off the regular season with a commanding dual victory against Virginia, 35-7, on Senior Night at Fitzgerald Field House Friday night.

The Panthers (10-8 overall, 2-3 ACC) win their second straight dual at home, as they defeated the Rider Broncs, 29-9 Thursday night. It is their third win at home this season and first in the ACC, as they also beat the Illinois Fighting Illini’ on Dec. 3.  The win against the Cavaliers (7-6 overall, 1-4 ACC) is the third straight, a perfect 6-0 at home and 10-2 in the all-time series.

“It was a good performance,” Panthers head coach Keith Gavin said on the victory. “Probably one of our better ones of the year, so it was nice to have that as our last one. We scored a lot of points, spread the gap on some guys and it’s good to see heading into the postseason.”

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Pitt redshirt senior Colton Camacho (8-11 overall, 1-4 ACC) won by forfeit, as Virginia didn’t have anyone make weight at 125 pounds, giving the home team a 6-0 lead.

Panthers No. 23 redshirt first-year Vinnie Santaneillo (14-13 overall, 1-4 ACC) battled with Cavaliers No. 28 junior Marlon Yarbrough II (13-6 overall, 4-1 ACC) at 133 pounds. Yarbrough took a 6-2 lead after two periods with two takedowns, but Santaniello kept it close, falling just short in a 7-6 decision.

No. 14 redshirt senior Cole Matthews (15-9 overall, 5-0 ACC) competed in his final match for Pitt Wrestling at Fitzgerald Field House in a six-year career with a 9-1 major decision against Virginia junior Kyren Butler (12-8 overall, 1-2 ACC).

The win ensures that he finishes perfect in the ACC for the second straight season and gave him his 100th win overall in his collegiate career.

“I actually didn’t feel sadness like I thought I would,” Matthews said on his final match at home. “I’ll probably be more sad after the season. That’s when it’ll kick in and I’ll be like, ‘Damn. I want to wrestle here again.’ No feelings have changed but one day they will.”

Panthers redshirt first-year Finn Solomon (15-9 overall, 2-3 ACC) won a 13-5 major decision against Cavaliers sophomore Michael Gioffre (9-8 overall, 1-2 ACC) at 149 pounds in a dominant performance.

Pitt redshirt first-year Jared Keslar (13-14 overall, 2-3 ACC) fell behind early to Virginia sophomore Nick Sanko (17-10 overall, 1-2 ACC) at 157 pounds, 4-1 and looked like he might have a tough match. He managed to get Sanko for near fall points and then put him completely on his back for the pin to put Pitt up 20-3 halfway through the dual.

“He needed that,” Gavin said on Keslar’s pin. “I think he’s had a tough go at it. It’s his redshirt freshman year where he’s wrestled some tough competition and sometimes you kind of forget what it feels like to win. So he needed that one.”

No. 13 redshirt senior Holden Heller (12-5 overall, 4-1 ACC) won his match for the Panthers at 165 pounds, a 6-1 decision against Cavaliers sophomore Nick Hamilton (9-7 overall, 2-3 ACC).

The win also comes in his final match at Fitzgerald Field House, as he’ll graduate following his sixth collegiate season and second with the Panthers after transferring from Hofstra, along with his brother Reece Heller. For Holden Heller, he’s made the most of these past two seasons and he is glad he chose to become a Panther to end out his collegiate career.

“Absolutely,” Holden Heller said on making the right decision to transfer. “It’s a sick environment. I’m going to miss it. There’s nothing like winning, there’s nothing like winning a home dual, last dual of the year. It’s plus one that my brother kicked ass too. That’s always a bonus.”

Pitt wrestling No. 18 Luca Augustine (13-4 overall, 2-2 ACC) used a second period takedown and great defense to ensure a 4-2 decision against Virginia No. 13 graduate student Justin McCoy (16-4 overall, 3-2 ACC) at 174 pounds.

“Proud of Luca,” Gavin said after Augustine’s victory. “He’s been battling injury, but you wouldn’t have known it tonight. Really proud of his maturity in that situation and [McCoy] is good, he’s had a lot of experience too. So good win for Luca.”

No. 10 redshirt senior Reece Heller (17-5 overall, 4-1 ACC) continued the winning for the Panthers with a 21-5 technical fall (6:19) against Cavaliers fifth year Ethan Weatherspoon (4-4 overall, 1-1 ACC) at 184 pounds. Panthers No. 15 redshirt first-year Mac Stout (18-5 overall, 3-2 ACC) joined him with a 12-3 major decision after riding time against Cavaliers graduate student Krystian Kinsey (11-6 overall, 1-4 ACC) at 197 pounds.

Pitt redshirt first-year Geoff Magin (0-6 overall, 0-5 ACC) started out with a takedown against Virginia junior Ryan Catka (13-4 overall, 3-2 ACC) at 285 pounds. Catka would adjust quickly and took control of the match, defeating Magin in a 12-4 major decision.

The other Panthers that walked on senior night, along with Matthews and Holden Heller, includes senior Ajabu Crews, redshirt juniors in James Lledo, Tyler Badgett and Magin, plus Camacho, who does have one year left of eligibility.

The regular season is over for Pitt wrestling and they will compete next at the ACC Championships in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sunday, March 10. Those that perform well will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Mo. from March 21-23.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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