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The Panthers finished their first season in the ACC with a regular season title last year. The Panthers faded a bit at the end, but overall had a strong season.
Pitt returns many key performers from last year's squad and according to Win Magazine, ranks No. 15 in the nation heading into this year. According to the rankings, the Panthers are second in the ACC behind conference tournament champ Virginia Tech.
The site also ranks three Pitt wrestlers, Tyler Wilps, Max Thomusseit, and Nick Bonaccorsi, in the top ten of their respective weight classes. Wilps and Thomusseit check in at No. 5 while Bonaccorsi is No. 8. The Panthers' three in the top eight ranks tied for sixth most in the nation. Wilps, Thomusseit, and Bonaccorsi all qualified for nationals last year and won a combined ten matches. Wilps was an All-American at 174 pounds.
A fourth wrestler, sophomore Edgar Bright, ranks in the top 15, ranking No. 14.
The Panthers lose some talent, but still return quite a bit from last year. Should be an exciting season for the program.
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