March 16, 2006

PITTSBURGH - Leaders are those athletes who not only say what it is they are going to accomplish, but find a way to actually get it done. Both seniors Ronald Tarquinio and Justin Nestor have exemplified these leadership skills by the determination and success that they have both achieved throughout the 2005-2006 season.

Tarquinio (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny) has been a dominating force for Pittsburgh wrestling not only during the 2005-06 season, but throughout his entire career. This year's trip to the NCAA Championships is nothing new to Tarquinio who is a four-time NCAA qualifier and 2004 conference champion.

Tarquinio finished the 2005-06 season with an overall record of 19-9 and a record of 6-4 in dual match ups. He has faced fierce competition all season long ending the regular season with a record of 6-7 against NCAA qualifiers. The strong competition he has encountered included Lehigh's Cory Cooperman, West Virginia's Brandon Rader who Tarquinio defeated at the Vegas Invitational, and Michigan State's Andy Simmons. Tarquinio also proved victorious against NCAA qualifiers Brad Forbes of Bloomsburg, Mike Hurley of Cleveland State, and Sean Markey of The Citadel.

Tarquinio has accomplished many other achievements this season along with his winning records. Tarquinio has remained nationally ranked among the top ten wrestlers for the majority of the season and finished the regular season with a No. 9 ranking by NWCA/InterMat. Tarquinio also earned his 100th career win along with placing at each of the tournaments he competed in. He finished second at the Southern Scuffle, third at the Cornell Body Bar, and seventh at the Las Vegas Invitational.

Nestor (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds) has been another success story for Pitt's wrestling. Nestor had a phenomenal 2005-06 season against NCAA qualifiers with a record of 8-4. He beat Cornell's Steve Anceravage by a fall at the 4:20 mark and Edinboro's Deonte Penn by a fall at the 5:40 mark. Nestor is the leading Panther in pins, and he ranks second in school history with 34 total. He finished the regular season with a 26-8 overall record and 9-4 record in dual matches.

Nestor also placed in the all tournaments he competed in taking first place at the Cornell Body Bar, seventh at the Las Vegas Invitational, and seventh at the Southern Scuffle. Nestor received his 100th career win in December at the Las Vegas Invitational while also being named EWL Wrestler of the Week on November 20. Nestor's name has appeared in the rankings throughout the entire season as he ended up being ranked 19th by Wrestling Report.

Nestor continued to dominate on the mat in the 2006 EWL tournament where he was named the conference champion at 165 pounds. He has gained the experience going into this year's NCAA tournament as he is a four-time NCAA qualifier. Nestor defeated NCAA qualifiers such as Dan Thompson of The Citadel, Beau Tresemer of the Air Force, and Tyler Tisdell of George Mason.

Nestor and Tarquinio represent the dynamic duo that Pittsburgh wrestling has counted on all season long. They have been leaders on the mat year in and year out which hopefully the newcomers at Pitt can look upon for help and inspiration at their years to come at Pitt. Their outstanding performances won't stop here as they will continue to dominate this weekend at the NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla.