Points for Pitt came from seniors Mike Ciotti, Ronald Tarquinio and Justin Nestor in addition to two freshmen – Nick Padezan and Joey Ecklof. This is the second consecutive season in which Ciotti defeated Cleveland State's David Armstrong, and it is also the second time Tarquinio, ranked eighth nationally, has defeated Mike Hurley.
At 125 pounds, Pitt's Brad Gentzle (Easton, Pa./Easton) faced Cleveland State's Jaryl Hunt where he lost a close 3-2 decision. The Vikings established an early lead of 3-0, but the next three matches would turn things around for the Panthers.
Ciotti (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) took on Cleveland State's David Armstrong, winning a 7-4 decision to tie the match. Ciotti's victory moves him to a 6-2 in dual matches, the leading record on the team.
Wrestling at 141 was Tarquinio (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny) and Cleveland State's Mike Hurley. Tarquinio's 9-4 decision put the Panthers in the lead 6-3. His win over Hurley gives him a 14-7 overall record on the season as he moves closer to becoming a four-time NCAA qualifier.
Ecklof (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) was able to extend his dual winning streak to five as he defeated Cleveland State's Ryan Hurley by a 6-1 decision. Ecklof, the EWL Wrestler of the Week, is now 5-2 in dual matches and made his first appearance in a national poll this week. His decision kept the Panthers in the lead, 9-3.
Cleveland State was able to turn things around at 157 pounds as Pitt's Sean Richmond (Emmaus, Pa./Easton) faced Victer Crenshaw. This was the only match the Vikings score bonus points in as Crenshaw won an 11-3 major decision to close the gap to Pitt 9, Cleveland State 7.
Nestor (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds) made a comeback for the Panthers at 165 pounds with a 2-0 win over Cleveland State's Tim Scarl. His win this evening gives him a 19-7 overall record on the season and maintained the Panthers' lead, 12-7.
Padezan (Irwin, Pa./Penn Trafford) kept the momentum alive for Pitt has won an 8-4 decision over Cleveland State's David Gilkey. Pitt stayed in the lead 15-7, entering the final three matches of the evening.
Cleveland State went on to win the bouts at 184 and 197. Pitt's Kyle Deliere (Cecil, Pa./Canon-McMillan) lost a tough 9-3 decision to Ron Howard, and Mike Heist (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) fell 3-2 to Ishmal Williams. The Vikings moved to 13 team points, giving Pitt only a two-point lead.
In the final match of the evening, Pitt's Lou Thomas (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg) faced Cleveland State's Rashard Goff. The 4-1 decision by Goff gave the Vikings the points they needed to win, as they took the match 16-15.
Pitt returns home this weekend to take on Kent State on Sunday, Jan. 29. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Fitzgerald Field House and has been declared "High School Day." Local wrestlers are encouraged to come out and show their support for the Panthers.
125 – Jaryl Hunt (CSU) dec. Brad Gentzle (P), 3-2 [3-0, CSU]
133 – Mike Ciotti (P) dec. David Armstong (CSU), 7-4 [3-3]
141 – Ronald Tarquinio (P) dec. Mike Hurley (CSU), 9-4 [6-3, Pitt]
149 – Joey Ecklof (P) dec. Ryan Hurley (CSU), 6-1 [9-3, Pitt]
157 – Victer Crenshaw (CSU) maj. dec. Sean Richmond (P), 11-3 [9-7, Pitt]
165 – Justin Nestor (P) dec. Tim Scarl (CSU), 2-0 [12-7, Pitt]
174 – Nick Padezan (P) dec. David Gilkey (CSU), 8-4 [15-7, Pitt]
184 – Ron Howard (CSU) dec. Kyle Deliere (P), 9-3 [15-10, Pitt]
197 – Ishmal Williams (CSU) dec. Mike Heist (P), 3-2 [15-13, Pitt]
HWT – Rashard Goff (CSU) dec. Lou Thomas (P), 4-1 [16-15, CSU]
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