Pitt wrestling upsets No. 5 Ohio State

Tribune-Review | Monday, December 11, 2023 9:40 a.m.

Pitt athletics

Pitt’s Cole Matthews beat No. 3-ranked Jesse Mendez of Ohio State, 4-2, in a dual meet Dec. 10, 2023, at Ohio State.

The Pitt wrestling team’s sixth victory of the season proved to be a signature win Sunday afternoon, as the Panthers upset No. 5-ranked Ohio State, 21-13.

The Panthers (6-1), ranked No. 19 in the nation, picked up six bout victories to secure the win over the Big Ten powerhouse Buckeyes (4-1) in Columbus.

“We battled really hard,” Pitt’s seventh-year coach Kevin Gavin said. “We have a tough group, even our young guys. They are really fun to coach and I’m so proud of the team. Ohio State is an elite team; any time you can get a dual win over a team like that, it means your program is in a good place and you are doing the right things. But we have to continue to work on improving and stay focused.”

Colton Camacho (Franklin Regional) started the match with a 14-9 decision over Ohio State’s Brendan McCrone at 125 pounds.

WINNER at 125 » @Coltonfr3 ????

14-9 win over No. 22 McCrone‼️

Great top-25 victory for CC ????

No. 19 Pitt 3, No. 5 Ohio State 0#H2P » #PINZBURGH pic.twitter.com/7fBhpzqbFJ

— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) December 10, 2023

After a loss at 133, No. 20-ranked Cole Matthews scored a 4-2 decision at 141 pounds on a last-second takedown over No. 3 Jesse Mendez to give Pitt a 6-3 lead.

WILD WINNER at 141 » @ColeMatthews9

LAST-SECOND TAKEDOWN ???? 4-2

DOWN GOES No. 3 JESSE MENDEZ‼️

The Covelli Center is stunned ????

No. 19 Pitt 6, No. 5 Ohio State 3#H2P » #PINZBURGH pic.twitter.com/0WEOgtfCKI

— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) December 10, 2023

“So happy for Cole,” Gavin said. “Obviously he’s had a rough start to the year, but we felt like this was a good match and opportunity for him. You can never count him out. He’s a hell of a competitor.”

Pitt lost a decision at 149 and a major decision at 157, but No. 8 Holden Heller then scored a 10-2 major decision at 165 to tie the match at 10.

After a loss at 174, Pitt’s Reece Heller won a 12-2 major decision at 184 for a 14-13 lead.

BIG WINNER at 184 » @ReeceHeller

HE MAJORS No. 15 GAVIN HOFFMAN ????

PITT TAKES THE LEAD IN COLUMBUS ????

No. 19 Pitt 14, No. 5 Ohio State 13#H2P » #PINZBURGH pic.twitter.com/dGVMcdlFDM

— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) December 10, 2023

Mac Stout followed with a 7-1 major decision at 197 and No. 14-ranked Dayton Pitzer (Mt. Pleasant) sealed the match with a 12-2 major decision at heavyweight.

A signature win for @KeithGavin84 ✍️

????️ Hear from Pitt’s head coach after the Panthers’ 21-13 victory at No. 5 Ohio State#H2P » #PINZBURGH pic.twitter.com/Jh5xANDUYp

— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) December 10, 2023

Pitt now has wins over VMI, Morgan State, Lehigh, Maryland and Illinois, and its lone loss was a 21-12 decision at Navy.

The Panthers will compete against Cornell, Iowa State and Little Rock at the National Collegiate Duals on Dec. 18-19 and will be off until the new year.