Pitt Panthers Set to Clash with Bucknell This Friday!

PITTSBURGH—The 16th-ranked Pitt wrestling squad (7-2, 1-0 ACC) is set to visit Lewisburg to face Bucknell (4-4, 2-0 EIWA) this Friday evening in a non-conference dual meet. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Pitt boasts a 7-2 record in dual competitions this season, with seven of its nine matches against teams ranked nationally. The Panthers have recently achieved two consecutive victories over ranked teams last weekend against Stanford and West Virginia. Bucknell enters the duel with a 4-4 record in dual competitions, claiming a 2-0 status in conference meetings.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Mac Stout has secured 11 straight victories, ascending to No. 11 in the InterMat rankings. Stout leads the Panthers with 14 triumphs this season, comprising seven wins by major decision or technical fall.
• No. 17 Luca Augustine maintains an 11-4 record this season, having achieved a 6-2 performance in dual meets and a 5-4 record against ranked competitors.
• Pitt features eight individual wrestlers positioned in the InterMat rankings within their specific weight categories, with five ranked in the top 20.

Pitt has triumphed in two consecutive ranked duals against No. 15 Stanford and No. 22 West Virginia, resulting in their ascent to No. 16 in the latest NWCA team rankings. The Panthers commenced their ACC campaign with a 24-15 victory over the Cardinal on Friday night at home, before traveling less than 40 hours later to secure a 25-17 win on the road against the Mountaineers on Sunday.

The Panthers fell behind by 11 points after the opening three bouts but rallied to defeat the Mountaineers 25-17 on Sunday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum. Pitt collectively scored 16 points across the last four matches (174, 184, 197, 285) leading to their success.

THE SERIES

• Friday’s matchup will mark the fifth encounter between Pitt and Bucknell, and their first since the 2018-19 season. The Panthers emerged victorious over the Bison at the Fitzgerald Field House, with a score of 34-4 in their previous encounter.
• Pitt holds a 3-1 historical advantage over Bucknell.

PITT PROBABLES

125: No. 18 Nick Babin

133: Tyler Chappell

141: No. 33 Anthony Santaniello

149: No. 22 Finn Solomon

157: No. 25 Dylan Evans

165: Jared Keslar

174: No. 17 Luca Augustine

184: No. 16 Reece Heller

197: No. 11 Mac Stout

285: No. 14 Dayton Pitzer