Pitt Blows by Competition, Remain Unbeaten at Ohio Duals

No. 20 Panthers lose only three matches in Athens, Ohio

PITTSBURGH —The No. 20 ranked Pitt wrestling team posted a set of strong performances today at the Ohio Duals in Athens , Ohio . The Panthers (5-0, 1-0 EWL) cruised to victories over Findlay , UNC Greensboro and Ohio , winning all but three matches during the all day event.

Pitt began the day with a match up against Findlay and racked up three falls to go along with three major decisions en route to a 42-0 final. Brad Gentzle ( Easton , Pa. / Easton ), Drew Headlee ( Waynesburg , Pa. /Waynesburg) and No. 1 ranked Keith Gavin ( Factoryville , Pa. /Lackawanna Trail) all posted falls in their matches, while No. 6 ranked Matt Kocher ( State College , Pa. / State College ) headlined a group of three grapplers who recorded major decisions.

The Panthers’ next test came from UNC Greensboro. The Spartans faired a bit better than Findlay , but Pitt, led by another pin from Gavin, claimed another victory by a count of 35-4. Led by Gavin’s second pin of the day, the Panthers added three major decisions and one technical fall in their nine victories against UNC Greensboro. Sean Richmond ( Emmaus , Pa. / Easton ), one of the Panthers seven returning NCAA qualifiers, picked up his first victory of the season with a 12-4 major decision against Byron Sigmon.

Ohio was the final team to square off against the Panthers today. Gavin ended his day in spectacular fashion by disposing of Ryan Knapp 50 seconds into their bout. Joey Ecklof ( Northampton , Pa. / Northampton ) and Ryan Tomei ( Irwin , Pa. /Penn-Trafford) also recorded falls and helped Pitt topple the Bobcats, 36-6.

The Panthers will look to remain unbeaten in dual match competition this Wednesday, Dec. 19, when they welcome the No. 8 Missouri Tigers to Fitzgerald Field House at 7 p.m. Pitt will be hosting the Toys for Tots Holiday Hoopla. Anyone who donates a new, unwrapped toy will be granted free admission to the contest.

 Pitt 42 vs. Findlay 0

125 – Brad Gentzle (Pitt) defeats Alex Shumaker ( Findlay ), Fall :44

133 – Jimmy Conroy (Pitt) defeats Jeremy Espinoza ( Findlay ), MD 14-6

141 – Drew Headlee(Pitt) defeats Josh Falk ( Findlay ), Fall 3:24

149 – Joey Ecklof (Pitt) defeats Andrew Vasquez ( Findlay ), MD 11-2

157 – No. 6 Matt Kocher (Pitt) defeats Antonio Guerra ( Findlay ), MD 10-2

165 – Ethan Headlee (Pitt) defeats Justin Shannon ( Findlay ), Dec. 8-6

174 – No. 1 Keith Gavin (Pitt) defeats Jeff Hevelka ( Findlay ), Fall 2:11

184 – David Sullivan (Pitt) defeats Hiram Smith ( Findlay ), Dec. 7-3

197 – Dave Crowell (Pitt) defeats Dan Stevenson ( Findlay ), Dec. 9-4

HWT – No. 15 Zach Sheaffer (Pitt) defeats Travis Clark ( Findlay ), Dec. 8-3

Pitt 35, UNC Greensboro 4

125 – Brad Gentzle (Pitt) defeats Mitchell Johnson (UNCG), Dec.7-4

133 – Jimmy Conroy (Pitt) defeats No. 19 Jeff Hedges (UNCG), Dec. 7-3

141 – Drew Headlee (Pitt) defeats Ben Wilmore (UNCG), MD 11-0

149 – Joey Ecklof (Pitt) Andrew Saunders (UNCG), MD 19-7

157 – No. 6 Matt Kocher (Pitt) defeats Mark Ring (UNCG), TF 17-2

165 – Sean Richmond (Pitt) defeats Byron Sigmon (UNCG), MD 12-4

174 – No. 1 Keith Gavin (Pitt) defeats Mikal McKee (UNCG), Fall 1:47

184 – David Sullivan (Pitt) defeats Nick Clark (UNCG), Dec. 8-1

197 – No. 11 Daren Burns (UNCG) defeats Dave Crowell (Pitt), MD 11-2

HWT – No. 15 Zach Sheaffer (Pitt) defeats Ryan Hsu (UNCG), Dec. 4-1

Pitt 36, Ohio 6

125 – Ryan Bosso (Pitt) defeats Heath Allen ( Ohio ), TF 17-0

133 – Seth Morton ( Ohio ) defeats Eric Rosencranz (Pitt), Dec. 3-1

141 – Drew Headlee (Pitt) defeats Germane Lindsey ( Ohio ), MD 9-0

149 – Joey Ecklof (Pitt) defeats Kevin Christensen ( Ohio ), Fall 3:41

157 – Adam Counterman (Pitt) defeats Jake Frerichs ( Ohio ), Dec. 10-8 (2OT)

165 – Jacob Ison ( Ohio ) defeats Ethan Headlee (Pitt), Dec. 8-2

174 – No. 1 Keith Gavin (Pitt) defeats Ryan Knapp ( Ohio ), Fall :50

184 – Matt Darnell (Pitt) defeats Cody Van Buskirk ( Ohio ), Dec. 4-0

197 – A.J. Hunte (Pitt) defeats Tim Samson ( Ohio ), Dec. 5-3

HWT – Ryan Tomei (Pitt) defeats Jason Marshall ( Ohio ), Fall 4:18