Nov. 22, 2009

PITTSBURGH -

Pitt wrestling picked up its biggest win of the season Sunday morning at the Sprawl & Brawl duals as they went 3-0 on the day, including an 18-15 defeat of No. 17-ranked Illinois. The Panthers also earned victories over Davidson (49-0) and Rider (30-9), to improve to 5-1 on the dual season.

Tyler Nauman (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) led the Panthers at 141 with three bonus-point matches on the day including a tech fall and two falls. Nauman continues his undefeated streak, stretching it to 11-0 on the year.

In addition to Nauman, Anthony Zanetta (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks), Matt Wilps (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley), and Ryan Tomei (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) went undefeated on the day. Tomei earned two wins off of forfeits, however.

Pitt began the day against the Fighting Illini in a hard-fought match. The decision came down to the final matchup including No. 20-ranked Tomei and Patrick Walker in the heavyweight division. Tomei left little doubt who would take the win as he won by major decision, 11-0 for the 18-15 match edge.

Possibly the greatest and most important win of the day, however, came from Nauman at 141, who earned a tech fall over 17th-ranked Ryan Prater of Illinois. That match would eventually give Pitt the win with the 10 weight classes split at 5-5.

Also picking up wins against Illinois were Zanetta at 125 (5-2 decision over John Deneen), Mark Powell (Washington, Pa./Trinity/Purdue) (157) claimed a 2-1 decision over Clinton Arlis and Wilps took a 6-0 decision from Martin Smith at 197.

In Pitt’s second match of the day, the Panthers dominated, giving up no points to the Davidson Wildcats. Nauman again had an outstanding performance, with a fall (1:28) over Ben Thompson. Zanetta earned a 12-4 major decision over Ben Altman and Zach Grove (York, Pa./Central York) followed that up with a 7-2 decision over William Ray at 133.

Also picking up a major decision was Powell at 157, defeating Joe McGinley, 15-3. At 174, David Sullivan (Dingmans Ferry, Pa./East Stroudsburg) claimed a tech fall over Jorge Estrada and both Zac Thomusseit (St. Paris, Ohio/St. Paris Graham) at 184 (4:10 over Ike Crews) and Wilps at 197 (1:46 over Mark Jeevratnam) earned falls against their Davidson opponent. Both Karl DeCiantis (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) and Tomei earned a win by forfeit.

Against Rider, Pitt picked up where it left off against the Wildcats. Zanetta picked up a 7-0 decision over Ilyass Elmasouri and Grove earned an 8-2 decision over Jimmy Kirchner. Nauman grabbed his second fall of the day (2:17) over Aaron Nestor to continue his undefeated streak in dual and open tournament competition.

Sullivan claimed a 13-7 decision over Rider’s Jim Resnick at 174 and Thomusseit earned a 12-4 major decision over Michael Miller to extend Pitt’s lead. Wilps rounded out the action for Pitt for the day with a fall (3:35) over Tyler Smith and Tomei enjoyed a forfeit victory to take the 30-9 team win.

Pitt will travel to the Penn State Open on Dec. 6 and will host its first match of the season with duals against Rutgers and Penn State on Dec. 12 at 5 and 7 p.m. respectively.