Bucknell University Athletics
Wrestling Opens Home Schedule Saturday vs. Pittsburgh
12/19/2013 10:11:00 AM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell wrestling team competed in five dual matches and wrestled at the Navy Classic in the first three weeks of the season, but has been idle for nearly a month since that late-November competition in Annapolis. The Bison will return to the mat this Saturday when they host No. 12 Pittsburgh in their home opener. The two teams will square off in Davis Gym at 6 p.m. A 4:30 high school match between Lewisburg and Loyalsock will precede the Bucknell-Pittsburgh match in Davis Gym.
Admission to Saturday's match is free. A free live video broadcast will be available via Bison Vision on the Patriot League Network. Live results will also be available via TrackWrestling.com.
Bucknell brings a 2-3 overall record into Saturday's match. This will be the fourth consecutive ranked foe for the Bison, who defeated No. 22 Lehigh before losing to No. 3 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Oklahoma in its last three outings. Pittsburgh will be the 42nd ranked opponent for Bucknell since the beginning of the 2006-07 campaign.
The Bison are 14-10 in their last 24 matches in Davis Gym, including 3-3 in 2012-13. Bucknell is scheduled to wrestle six home duals this season.
Pittsburgh is 3-1 this year with its only loss coming at three-time defending national champion Penn State. The Panthers have defeated Lock Haven, Lehigh and Maryland this season. Pittsburgh has four nationally ranked wrestlers in its probable starting lineup for Saturday: No. 11 Anthony Zanetta (125), No. 12 Shelton Mack (133), No. 7 Tyler Wilps (174) and No. 8 Max Thomusseit (184).
Junior Joe Stolfi, who is ranked 17th nationally at 285, is Bucknell's lone ranked grappler, although freshman 141-pounder Victor Lopez did make an appearance earlier this season after back-to-back pins of ranked opponents from Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.
Stolfi, who has won six consecutive bouts, including five by fall, is tied for the team lead with freshman 133-pounder Grim Gonzalez with 11 wins. Stolfi's 39 career victories are second among current Bison to only senior 174-pounder Stephen McPeek (47 wins).
Ten of the 11 possible starters for Bucknell on Saturday own at least .500 records this season.
This will be just the second time Bucknell and Pittsburgh have met. The only previous meeting came during the 1977-78 season with the Panthers coming out on top by a 23-17 margin in Philadelphia, Pa.
The Bison will return to action Jan. 1-2 at the competitive Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn. It will be Bucknell's first appearance at the prestigious event that last year featured seven NCAA champions, 10 NCAA finalists and 20 All-Americans.
Bucknell vs. Pittsburgh
Record: Pittsburgh leads 1-0
First Meeting: 1977-78
Streak: Pittsburgh +1
Last Bucknell Win: N/A
Last Pittsburgh Win: Jan. 14, 1978 (23-17)
Bucknell Probable Lineup (2-3, 1-0 EIWA)
125: Paul Petrov (10-4)
133: Grim Gonzalez (11-10)
141: Connor Lapresi (8-8)
149: Alex Pellicciotti (5-5)
157: Brenan McAllister (6-6)
165: Rustin Barrick (9-9)
174: Stephen McPeek (4-3) or Joey Krulock (6-4)
184: Tyler Greene (8-9)
197: Tyler Lyster (8-6)
285: No. 17 Joe Stolfi (11-3)
No. 12 Pittsburgh Probable Lineup (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
125: No. 11 Anthony Zanetta (7-2)
133: No. 12 Shelton Mack (11-3) or Derrick Nelson (7-4)
141: Edgar Bright (3-3) or Jake Keller (5-5)
149: Mikey Racciato (10-5)
157: Eric Nutter (9-4) or Cole Sheptock (6-8)
165: Geno Morelli (5-6)
174: No. 7 Tyler Wilps (11-2)
184: No. 8 Max Thomusseit (5-0) or Aaron Rothwell (5-8)
197: Nick Bonaccorsi (7-4)
285: P.J. Tasser (7-2) or Mike Gregory (7-5)
Players Mentioned
