May 3, 2006

PITTSBURGH - With a team grade point average of 2.818, Pitt was one of 30 teams recognized by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) as an All-Academic Team. The team GPA is a reflection of Pitt's top 12 wrestlers who competed throughout the regular season.

"We're very pleased to receive this award and show that our guys are successful both on and off the mat," said Head Coach Rande Stottlemyer. "We have some guys in some very challenging cirriculums, and they have risen to the challenges they have faced while continuing to perform at the highest level in athletics. I believe this honor is reflective of the effort and time they put in to being a well-rounded student-athlete here at the University of Pittsburgh."

Two Pitt wrestlers have earned 4.0 GPAs throughout their careers. Redshirt junior Francis Iorfido (Johnsonburg, Pa./Johnsonburg) holds a 3.69 cumulative GPA as a pharmacy major. He's earned a 4.0 for an impressive four semesters - Fall 2003, Spring 2004, Fall 2004 and Spring 2005. Iorfido was additionally a 2004 NCAA qualifier and one of the Panthers top starters this season until he was sidelined with an injury.

Redshirt freshman Joe Ciampoli (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) holds a 3.80 cumulative GPA in Pitt's School of Nursing. He earned a 4.0 last spring in just his second semester at Pitt. Ciampoli competed in some of the Panthers dual matches this year as well as tournaments, compiling an 11-12 overall record with one fall and one major decision.

In addition to honoring teams for their academic excellence, the NWCA also recognizes individual wrestlers. To be eligible for selection a wrestler must achieve a 3.2 GPA or higher and competed in the NCAA tournament or won 60 percent of his total schedule and competed in 60 percent of the team schedule. However, if the wrestler earned All-America honors and achieved a 3.0 GPA, he is eligible as well. According to the NWCA, 18 of the 68 wrestlers selected placed at this year's NCAA tournament.