Oct. 26, 2009

PITTSBURGH -

Anticipation for the 2009-10 Pitt wrestling season has hit a new high as numerous Panthers have earned preseason distinction among wrestling experts.

Intermat’s preseason rankings list Pitt senior Jimmy Conroy at 14th in the 133 weight class. Conroy also earned a nod at 15th by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine.com, 18th by WrestlingReport.com and 19th by Amateur Wrestling News.

In the 141 weight class, Intermat has ranked Tyler Nauman 13th in their preseason rankings. Amateur Wrestling News placed Nauman the highest at ninth, while WrestlingReport.com ranked him 10th and WIN-Magazine.com 12th.

Ethan Headlee enters the discussion with a No. 13 ranking at 165 by WIN-Magazine.com. Amateur Wrestling News ranks Headlee at 15th and WrestlingReport.com lists Headlee at 17th in the 174 weight class.

Sophomore Karl DeCiantis rounds out the preseason rankings at 33rd in the 165 weight class by WrestlingReport.com.

The Panthers enter the season on Nov. 1 at the Buffalo Open. Fans first opportunity to see Pitt in action is Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. for the Blue Gold scrimmage at Fitzgerald Field House.