Jan. 20, 2010
PITTSBURGH -
Complete Pitt vs. Cleveland State and Penn Match Notes
Looking At The Panthers
Pitt enters the week with a 11-1-1 record overall and 2-0 in EWL action, which has landed them at No. 18 in the latest NWCA rankings.
The Panthers have not suffered a loss since they fell 24-9 to then-No. 17-ranked Lehigh on Nov. 15. Pitt’s only other blemish was a 19-19 tie to No. 14 Penn State on Dec. 12.
Pitt is led by sophomore Tyler Nauman, who is ranked 18th by InterMat at 141 and has enjoyed a nearly perfect season entering the weekend with a 24-3 record. Nauman is also perfect in dual matches with a 12-0 mark.
Also having an outstanding year for Pitt are junior heavyweight Ryan Tomei with a 24-4 record on the season and freshman Anthony Zanetta at 26-7 in the 125 weight class.
Pitt vs. Cleveland State
The Vikings will open their EWL season Thursday against the Panthers. Cleveland State is 2-10 on the season and is led by senior Marcus Effner, who is closing in on 100 career victories.
Head coach Ben Stehura is in his second year at the helm with a 6-23 record during that time. Those wishing to watch the match live can do so at: www.csuvikings.com.
Series History
Pitt holds the slight 17-14-1 advantage over Cleveland State in the series history, which dates back to the 1977-78 season (a 22-18 Pitt win). Last season, the Panthers dominated with a 38-3 victory at home.
Pitt vs. Penn
Penn holds a 4-3 record in duals this season including last weekend’s loss to No. 24 Virginia, 28-9. The loss marked the Quakers’ first-ever loss to the Cavaliers.
Penn is led by second year head coach Rob Eiter, who also served as an assistant for the squad from 2006-08.
Series History
Pitt and Penn have met up just one time on the mat with the Quakers coming away with a 20-16 victory last season.
Rankings Respect
In the latest InterMat poll, Pitt holds the following individual rankings:
141 -- #18 Tyler Nauman
197 -- #18 Matt Wilps
285 -- #7 Ryan Tomei
Pin Party
Pitt has recorded 43 pins this season. Heavyweight Ryan Tomei and Tyler Nauman (141) are both tied for the team high with eight.
Movin’ On Up
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Nauman entered the 2009-10 season No. 15 on the all-time pins list in Pitt history. Nauman has climbed into seventh on the list with eight falls this season and a total of 26. Last year, Nauman won over a third of his matches by fall, finishing the year with 11 — the seventh most in a single season by a Pitt wrestler.
Rookie Review...
Freshman Anthony Zanetta recently broke into the top 10 for wins by a freshman, as he currently holds a 26-8 mark on the season, which ties him for 10th. Zanetta is tied with Scott Hovan, who recorded a 26-14-1 record in the 1987-88 season. Wrestling at 125, his 26 wins are the most on the squad.
Oh Brother...
Pitt currently has two sets of brothers on the squad including sophomore Chris Albright and his brother, redshirt senior Eric Albright; as well as freshman P.J. Tasser and his brother, redshirt freshman Donnie Tasser.
In addition, in Pitt’s signing class, two more sets of brothers are set to join the squad. Sophomore Zac Thomusseit’s brother Max signed a letter of intent with the Panthers, as well as Matt Wilps’ brother Tyler.
Stottlemyer’s 30-Year Stint
Pitt head coach Rande Stottlemyer is in his 31st season at the helm of the Panther program. In his 31st season, Stottlemyer is the winningest coach in Pitt history, recording a 262-216-12 record, including a 4-7-1 mark last season and 11-1-1 this season in dual action.
Stottlemyer helped guide four wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament last season, with three of those returning in 2009-10.
He’s Back!
Former Pitt wrestler Matt Kocher is back with the Panther program. This time, as an assistant coach. Kocher joined the Pitt staff this summer and has been an invaluable addition to the squad.
While at Pitt, Kocher was a four-time NCAA qualifier and currently sits at second on the all-time wins list in Pitt history at 151-45.
