No. 18 Pitt Starts Dual Season at Cleveland State

PITTSBURGH—The No. 18 Pitt wrestling team begins its 2022-23 dual schedule this Friday night with a season-opening matchup at Cleveland State at 7 p.m. from Woodling Gymnasium.
 
The Panthers, led by head coach Keith Gavin in his sixth season at the helm of his alma mater, begin the regular season with six individuals ranked by InterMat in their respective weight classes.
 
Returning All-American Cole Matthews begins the season as top-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds, while super seniors Micky Phillippi (No. 8 at 133) and Nino Bonaccorsi (No. 9 at 197) are also in the top 10.
 
Transfers Dazjon Casto (No. 11 at 157), Holden Heller (No. 15 at 165) and Reece Heller (No. 24 at 184) are each ranked at the beginning of their first seasons as Panthers, and an exciting young corps of wrestlers fills out the rest of Pitt’s starting squad.
 
Here is Pitt’s probable lineup for the matchup against the CSU Vikings:
 
125: Colton Camacho (4-1)
133: No. 8 Micky Phillippi (0-0)
141: No. 1 Cole Matthews (0-0)
149: Tyler Badgett (4-1) or Brock McMillen (2-2)
157: No. 11 Dazjon Casto (0-0)
165: No. 15 Holden Heller (0-0)
174: Luca Augustine (0-0)
184: No. 24 Reece Heller (3-1)
197: No. 9 Nino Bonaccorsi (0-0)
HWT: Jake Slinger (2-2)
 
See this link for Pitt’s match notes ahead of Friday’s dual at Cleveland State.
 
The Panthers own a 21-14-1 advantage in the all-time series with the Vikings and have won six straight, but the two programs haven’t met in a decade.
 
Fans can follow results from Friday’s contest live on Twitter @Pitt_WRES.
 
The Panthers will host their home opener at Fitzgerald Field House against Maryland on Friday, Nov. 18 with a 7 p.m. start before welcoming in-state rival Lehigh to Pittsburgh on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
 
Ranked No. 18 in the Preseason NWCA Coaches Poll, Gavin’s Pitt squad returns numerous All-America contenders and features several transfers and freshman expected to contribute for the Panthers.
 
Fans can purchase season tickets for Pitt’s 2022-23 wrestling home schedule, which also features exciting matchups with West Virginia, Iowa State, North Carolina, Duke and Buffalo at this link.

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