Pitt Wrestling Flexes Depth in Commanding Win Over No. 11 UNC
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - In a matchup that carried serious ACC implications, No. 14 Pitt rolled into Carmichael Arena and walked out with a statement win, taking down No. 11 North Carolina, 22-9, in a Friday night dual that showcased the Panthers’ depth and grit from top to bottom.
Pitt claimed victories in seven of the ten bouts, improving to 10-2 overall and 2-1 in conference action. For UNC, now 8-3 and 1-2 in the ACC, it was a tough night at home, despite some bright spots from a few key veterans.
Tar Heels Find Wins in the Trenches
While the final score leaned heavily toward the visitors, UNC didn’t go quietly. The Tar Heels picked up three individual wins, each one showing flashes of what makes this squad dangerous when they’re clicking.
At 125 pounds, Kysen Terukina gave the home crowd something to cheer about early. In a back-and-forth battle, Terukina edged out Tyler Chappell with an 8-6 decision, marking his first ACC win of the season. It was a gutsy performance from the No. 15-ranked wrestler, who showed poise in the scramble-heavy match and closed strong in the final period.
Bryce Hepner, ranked No. 14 at 165, delivered a composed and efficient performance against No. 33 Jared Keslar.
A first-period takedown set the tone, and Hepner controlled the pace from there, walking away with a 4-2 decision. It was the kind of veteran effort UNC needed to stay in the fight.
At 184, Jake Dailey continued his strong conference campaign. The No. 13-ranked grappler improved to a perfect 3-0 in ACC duals with a 7-3 win over No.
28 Chase Kranitz. Dailey was sharp from the opening whistle, using slick transitions and timely counters to keep Kranitz off balance throughout the match.
Pitt’s Depth Proves Too Much
From 133 to heavyweight, Pitt showed why they’re one of the most balanced teams in the nation. The Panthers rattled off wins in seven of the ten bouts, including a major decision at 285 that helped seal the deal.
At 133, Evan Tallmadge pulled off a solid upset, knocking off No. 19 Ethan Oakley with an 8-2 decision. Tallmadge was aggressive early and never let Oakley settle into a rhythm, setting the tone for the rest of the lineup.
Pitt’s middleweights kept the momentum going. Briar Priest edged out Matthew Botello in a tight 2-0 decision at 141, and Kade Brown, ranked No. 20 at 149, followed that with a 10-3 win over Nick O'Neill. Brown’s ability to pile up points in bunches gave Pitt a comfortable cushion early.
The Panthers kept rolling at 157, where No. 17 Dylan Evans earned a 4-1 decision over No.
28 Laird Root. Evans controlled position and tempo, keeping Root on the defensive for most of the match.
At 174, Luca Augustine delivered a workmanlike 3-1 win over Collin Carrigan, extending Pitt’s lead and putting the pressure squarely on UNC’s upperweights.
After Dailey’s win at 184 briefly stopped the bleeding for the Tar Heels, Pitt closed strong. At 197, No.
8 Mac Stout took care of business with a 4-1 decision over Robert Platt, and heavyweight Dayton Pitzer capped the night with a dominant 15-2 major decision against Jacob Levy. That final match gave Pitt the bonus points they needed to put a bow on a convincing win.
What’s Next
UNC will look to bounce back quickly as they prepare to host rival Duke next Friday at Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels will aim to regroup and tighten up the middle of their lineup, where Pitt did most of its damage.
For Pitt, this win reinforces their standing as a serious contender in the ACC. With a deep, disciplined roster and a knack for grinding out close matches, the Panthers are proving they’re more than just a top-15 team-they’re a threat to anyone in the country.