Pitt Wrestling To Host Blue & Gold Match Thursday
11/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 4, 2009
PITTSBURGH -
The Pitt wrestling team will host its annual Blue & Gold match which will determine the squad’s starting lineup on Thursday at 6 p.m. inside Fitzgerald Field House. A bracket-style format will be used for each weight class, including a best two-out-of-three competition for the finals.
Thursday’s action will begin in the 125 pound weight class with sophomore Zach Grove (York, Pa./Central York) and freshman Anthony Zanetta (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) battling for the right to meet up with Buffalo Open champion Chris Kochinsky (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) in the finals.
With senior Jimmy Conroy (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) wrapping up the 133 spot, 141 is up for grabs with redshirt sophomore and 2009 NCAA qualifier Tyler Nauman (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) taking on Victor Konno in the first bracket. Chris Albright (York, Pa./Red Lion Area) will meet Buffalo Open champion Dane Johnson for a trip to the finals. Johnson (New Kensington, Pa./Shady Side Academy) is a true freshman who won every match in his collegiate opener last weekend in Buffalo.
At 149, Eric Albright (York, Pa./Red Lion Area) will take on the winner of the battle between freshman Ian Heist (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and junior Kyle Patton (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop).
Juniors Phil Sorrentino (Glassport, Pa./South Allegheny) and Adam Counterman (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) competed last weekend at the Buffalo Open with Counterman grabbing the win and the fifth place finish. The duo will have another meeting Thursday as the winner of the first round matchup moves on to square off against Karl DeCiantis (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) in the finals.
The final three weight classes will feature straight head-to-head competition including David Sullivan (Dingmans Ferry, Pa./East Stroudsburg) and Andy Vaughan (Gibsonia, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) clashing at 174. At 197, Buffalo Open champion Matt Wilps (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) will face senior A.J. Hunte (Brookline, Mass./Brookline).
At heavyweight, Eastern Wrestling League’s reigning Wrestler of the Week, Ryan Tomei, will battle Daniel Nickoli (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) for the final spot. Tomei (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) dominated the Buffalo Open en route to a first place finish which led to the EWL honor.
The 6 p.m. instrasquad wrestle-off will be open to the public. The Panthers are a young, but experienced team as they look to begin the dual meet season Nov. 13 in Philadelphia for a dual match with Sacred Heart, and with host Drexel at noon and 1:30 p.m. respectively. Pitt then travels to Lehigh for a 2 p.m. match on Nov. 15.