Pitt wrestling coach Keith Gavin is previewing the 2017-18 Panthers by weight class, and here's his look at the 149, 157 and 165's.
149
Probable starter: Robert Lee (Jr.)
A native of Kaukaua, Wis., junior Robert Lee will get the starting nod at 149 pounds this year. Since joining the Panther squad, Lee has spent time at 141 and 149 pounds, and split time with redshirt senior Nick Zanetta at 141 a year ago. Lee started six duals for Pitt last season recording wins over Virginia Tech and VMI.
Gavin on 149: “Our expected starter is Robert Lee. We also have some decent freshmen at that weight, giving us a lot of depth at that weight. We have some options, but Rob is the oldest guy of that group. He’s a veteran and also has some good skills, so it’s about developing and keeping his mind right so he can perform at a consistent high level.”
157
Probable starter: Taleb Rahmani (RS-So.)
Ranked No. 15 in the country at 157 pounds, 2017 ACC Champion Taleb Rahmani returns to the spot he left a year ago. Rahmani jumped into the starting lineup Dec. 4, 2016 at Oklahoma State after then-starter Jake Wentzel went down with an injury. The Marysville, Ohio, native ended up having a stellar season, finishing with a team-high 25 wins and 10 falls. Rahmani is one of four returning NCAA qualifiers in 2017-18 and looks to continue his winning ways.
Gavin on 157: “Taleb Rahmani is the expected starter. Similar to 149, we do have a lot of guys on the team that are around that weight, so we’ll have quite a few options there. Taleb is the returning ACC champion so he’s expected to be our starter there. With him, it’s about consistency. He’s had some big wins in the past and now we have to try to do that week in and week out.”
165
Probable starter: Jake Wentzel (RS-Fr.)
After suffering a season-ending injury in late November of 2016, Wentzel is back and up a weight class from a year ago. The Pittsburgh native started the first four duals for the Panthers but was unable to bounce back from injury.
Gavin on 165: “Jake Wentzel is our expected starter. He was a freshman last year and got injured about midway through, which he was unable to return from, so he didn’t have much of a season last year. Jake put in a great summer though. He was one of our hardest workers and we are really happy with the work ethic and the consistency that he is showing throughout training, so we expect him to do well this year. He’s young, but he’s a winner and a competitor so we are looking forward to watching him compete.”
149
Probable starter: Robert Lee (Jr.)
A native of Kaukaua, Wis., junior Robert Lee will get the starting nod at 149 pounds this year. Since joining the Panther squad, Lee has spent time at 141 and 149 pounds, and split time with redshirt senior Nick Zanetta at 141 a year ago. Lee started six duals for Pitt last season recording wins over Virginia Tech and VMI.
Gavin on 149: “Our expected starter is Robert Lee. We also have some decent freshmen at that weight, giving us a lot of depth at that weight. We have some options, but Rob is the oldest guy of that group. He’s a veteran and also has some good skills, so it’s about developing and keeping his mind right so he can perform at a consistent high level.”
157
Probable starter: Taleb Rahmani (RS-So.)
Ranked No. 15 in the country at 157 pounds, 2017 ACC Champion Taleb Rahmani returns to the spot he left a year ago. Rahmani jumped into the starting lineup Dec. 4, 2016 at Oklahoma State after then-starter Jake Wentzel went down with an injury. The Marysville, Ohio, native ended up having a stellar season, finishing with a team-high 25 wins and 10 falls. Rahmani is one of four returning NCAA qualifiers in 2017-18 and looks to continue his winning ways.
Gavin on 157: “Taleb Rahmani is the expected starter. Similar to 149, we do have a lot of guys on the team that are around that weight, so we’ll have quite a few options there. Taleb is the returning ACC champion so he’s expected to be our starter there. With him, it’s about consistency. He’s had some big wins in the past and now we have to try to do that week in and week out.”
165
Probable starter: Jake Wentzel (RS-Fr.)
After suffering a season-ending injury in late November of 2016, Wentzel is back and up a weight class from a year ago. The Pittsburgh native started the first four duals for the Panthers but was unable to bounce back from injury.
Gavin on 165: “Jake Wentzel is our expected starter. He was a freshman last year and got injured about midway through, which he was unable to return from, so he didn’t have much of a season last year. Jake put in a great summer though. He was one of our hardest workers and we are really happy with the work ethic and the consistency that he is showing throughout training, so we expect him to do well this year. He’s young, but he’s a winner and a competitor so we are looking forward to watching him compete.”
