Scranton, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford wrestling team wrapped up its regular season schedule on Sunday, competing at the U of S Duals, hosted by the University of Scranton. The Panthers wrestled in four matches, winning one, while dropping three.
Match One - Hunter 26 - Pitt-Bradford 21
The Panthers began their day with a tough 26-21 loss to Hunter College that was decided in the final bouts.
Pitt-Bradford jumped out to a 12-0 win after Cade Stern opened the match with a pin (1:59) and Elias Salloum won by forfeit. After dropping a pair of bouts by decision, Ray Worsen kept the Panthers in front with an 11-6 win at 157. Hunter cut the gap to 5 after a major decision at 165, but D.J. Slovick put the Panthers on the brink of a victory with a pin at 174 (0:58). Unfortunately, Pitt-Bradford could not find one last win, dropping the final three bouts with two pins and a tech fall, leading to the 26-21 final score.
Match Two - King's 36 - Pitt-Bradford 16
In its second match of the day, the Panthers took on Kings. Mike Worsen picked up an early major decision at 133, but it was all the Panthers could muster early on as Kings opened up a commanding 24-2 lead by winning the next 4 bouts. D.J. Slovick (1:34) and Gavin Thompson (1:06) each pinned their opponents in the matchups, but their victories were counterbalanced by a pair of forfeits.
Match Three - Pitt-Bradford 44 - Scranton B 6
For its third match, the Panthers wrestled against the host team's (Scranton) B team. They had a dominating victory, winning each contested match. Stern opened with a win by major decision, before Mike Worsen (4:20) pinned his opponent at 133. After a Nikolas Fegert (1:06) pin at 149, the Panthers were able to secure the win using a technical fall victory by Raymond Worsen and a Pin (3:14) by Payton Mitchell. Slovick (0:49) and Thompson (1:14) once again pinned their opponents in the first period, while Pavitar Singh picked up a win by forfeit at 285.
Match Four - Scranton A 29-Pitt Bradford 21
The Panthers closed the event with a matchup against Scranton's top team. The Panthers opened the match with a pair of pins by Stern (3:35) and Mike Worsen (1:54). Despite a major decision win by Feger at 149, the hosts were able to jump into the lead with two forfeit wins, a technical fall, and two wins by decision. Gavin Thompson trimmed the deficit to two after a technical fall win at 197, but the Panthers could not contest at 285, ensuring the loss.
Pitt-Bradford finishes the regular season with a 9-8 record in dual matches, setting a program record for wins in a season. They will now prepare for their postseason tournaments. The postseason begins with the AMCC Championship Tournament next weekend. It is being hosted by Penn College in Williamsport on Saturday, Feb. 14.
