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The Pitt wrestling team got some good news a while back when both seniors Jake Wentzel and Gregg Harvey decided to return for another season under the extra year granted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Panthers are adding a couple of more guys from the transfer market that should give the team another boost.
Pitt announced the signing of Ohio State transfer Elijah Cleary and American transfer Gage Curry. Both are also six-year seniors taking advantage of the extra year granted by the NCAA.
Cleary comes to Pitt after having started the past two years with the Buckeyes. He’s had decent success there but did not ultimately star. He was 18-12 in 2019-20 and 7-8 this season. It does not appear that he’s ever made an NCAA Tournament.
That’s not great, obviously, but it is an upgrade over what Pitt had on the roster. Last year at 157 pounds, true freshman Tyler Badgett got the majority of the work and was 3-5 on the season, winning only one of his dual meet bouts while going winless (0-4) in conference. Redshirt junior Dallas Bulsak also got work there but was winless on the year (0-3) before he gave way to Badgett. Cleary’s addition gives Pitt another option there.
Curry represents another chance for Pitt to upgrade. He comes in at 125 pounds, which was another weight where the Panthers needed to contend a bit better. Redshirt freshman Colton Camacho showed some good promise there last year for Pitt as he was nearly .500 at 5-6. Camacho also nearly went .500 in the ACC (3-4) and proved he’s got some ability. But Curry is a four-time NCAA qualifier that has racked up 77 career wins. A local wrestler from North Hills, he won a WPIAL title and immediately should step in as the starter at 125 pounds.
The moves just make Pitt a bit deeper up and down the lineup. 125 pounds and 157 pounds were two weight classes that needed an upgrade and the Panthers were able to accomplish that with the signings of Cleary and Gage.
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