Posts by Eric Knopsnyder
Three Names Linked to Pitt Assistant Coach Search
PITTSBURGH – This could be another big week for the Pitt wrestling program, and names are beginning to leak out as new head coach Keith Gavin looks to fill his coaching staff. The Pitt alumnus has some big decisions to make. First off is deciding what to do about the coaching staff that was in…
Read MoreDaniel Dennis: Don't Doubt Spencer Lee
Daniel Dennis has seen and felt firsthand what Spencer Lee can do on a wrestling mat, so the 2016 Olympian scoffs at the notion that the Franklin Regional senior will have any problems overcoming a serious knee injury and the first loss of his high school career. “I think the kid’s a phenom. He’s a…
Read MorePitt to Host NCAA Championships in 2019
The NCAA Championships are coming to Pennsylvania in 2019. The University of Pittsburgh announced that it will host the tournament at PPG Paints Arena. It’s just the second time that Pitt has hosted the NCAA Championships and first since 1957. Philadelphia was the last Pennsylvania city to host, in 2011, and Penn State held the event…
Read MoreKeith Gavin Ready to Begin 'Dream Job' at Pitt
Keith Gavin saw what was being written about the head coach position at Pitt. He heard his alma mater being called cheap and that Pitt’s administration wasn’t committed to the program. He watched as an established head coach back away from the opportunity. Then another. And another. Eventually, Pitt decided to give Gavin his first…
Read MoreUpdate: Keith Gavin Named Pitt Wrestling Coach
PITTSBURGH – The long and twisting road that was the Pitt coaching search led back to a familiar name: Keith Gavin. The Panthers introduced Gavin as the team’s next coach on Thursday in a move first reported by PA Power Wrestling. Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke announced the move in an email to Pitt wrestling alumni, but…
Read MorePitt Looks to Lure South Dakota State's Chris Bono
Chris Bono has already had one historic moment at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House. Could more be on the way? The reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year is scheduled to interview for the Panthers’ head coaching job, PA Power has learned. Initial reports had Bono headed to Pittsburgh on Friday, but by late afternoon it…
Read MoreIs Pat Santoro Going to Become Pitt's Next Head Wrestling Coach?
PITTSBURGH – Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke has only been on the job for a little more than a week, but she’s already facing her first big decision. While it might not make a huge splash nationwide, Lyke’s choice for the next head wrestling coach will tell us a lot about the direction of the…
Read MorePenn State Nittany Lions Crowns 5 Champions, Wins Team Title
ST. LOUIS – Jason Nolf jumped up, screamed and raised his arms in triumph. The rare display of emotional wasn’t the result of the Penn State 157-pounder his first NCAA title on Saturday night at the Scottrade Center. Instead, it came when his teammate, Vincenzo Joseph, pinned Isaiah Martinez for the 165-pound championship. That was…
Read MoreOne for District 11: Darian Cruz wins NCAA Title, Credits His Roots
ST. LOUIS – It might have been wrestled on college’s wrestling’s biggest stage, in front of nearly 20,000 fans at the Scottrade Center and millions more watching on television, but Darian Cruz’s NCAA championship was all about the Lehigh Valley. The Bethlehem Catholic grad beat Ethan Lizak, his old elementary school rival from Parkland, 6-3…
Read MorePenn State Powers Five Wrestlers into NCAA National Finals
ST. LOUIS – Talk about a high five. Five Penn State wrestlers – including three from Pennsylvania – will wrestle for NCAA titles on Saturday night at the Scottrade Center. The Nittany Lions went a perfect 5-for-5 in the semifinals on Friday night to take a giant step toward a sixth NCAA team title in…
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