PITTSBURGH "" Pitt wrestling head coach Rande Stottlemyer has been named the Eastern Wrestling League Coach of the Year and Anthony Zanetta, the EWL Freshman of the Year, as announced Wednesday by the league.
Stottlemyer and his staff led the Panthers to their first-ever EWL Championship in 2010 with a perfect 6-0 record on the season. Pitt recorded a school-record 17-1-1 mark on the season and helped lead six wrestlers to the NCAA Championship. Included in that number was sophomore Tyler Nauman, who earned All-America status with a fifth place finish at the national tournament.
"There are two reasons for this award, our assistants Jason Peters and Matt Kocher" Stottlemyer said. "They do the work and because I'm the head coach, I get the award for our success. Jason Peters is and continues to grow into such an amazing coach and the commitment level of our guys has really changed things for us. We are headed in the right direction."
In addition to the outstanding team success the Panthers achieved this season, Pitt enjoyed numerous individual accolades as well. Four Pitt wrestlers earned EWL titles including Zanetta (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks), Nauman (Middletown, Pa./Middletown), Matt Wilps (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and Ryan Tomei (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford).
Stottlemyer recently completed his 31st season at the helm of the program and has recorded a 268-206-13 record during that time. This year's honor marks the fourth time he has won the EWL honor (2007-08, 1989-90 and 1986-87). Stottlemyer has also coached at least one All-American in 20 of the last 27 years.
Zanetta, a true freshman, wrestled at 125 all season and enjoyed a fantastic season in his rookie year recording a 34-10 record on the year. Zanetta claimed the EWL title and turned quite a few heads in his first NCAA Championship. In the Pitt record books, Zanetta finished tied for second in wins in a season with 34. His mark is also good enough for the 10th most wins recorded in a season by a Pitt wrestler in any year.
"Anthony is such a great kid" Stottlemyer said. "He is someone that you just can't help but pull for. He works hard and long and always with a smile on his face. But Anthony wants bigger and better things. He doesn't see himself settling. With his work ethic, he is going to continue to improve and make great strides."
Stottlemyer and his staff led the Panthers to their first-ever EWL Championship in 2010 with a perfect 6-0 record on the season. Pitt recorded a school-record 17-1-1 mark on the season and helped lead six wrestlers to the NCAA Championship. Included in that number was sophomore Tyler Nauman, who earned All-America status with a fifth place finish at the national tournament.
"There are two reasons for this award, our assistants Jason Peters and Matt Kocher" Stottlemyer said. "They do the work and because I'm the head coach, I get the award for our success. Jason Peters is and continues to grow into such an amazing coach and the commitment level of our guys has really changed things for us. We are headed in the right direction."
In addition to the outstanding team success the Panthers achieved this season, Pitt enjoyed numerous individual accolades as well. Four Pitt wrestlers earned EWL titles including Zanetta (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks), Nauman (Middletown, Pa./Middletown), Matt Wilps (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and Ryan Tomei (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford).
Stottlemyer recently completed his 31st season at the helm of the program and has recorded a 268-206-13 record during that time. This year's honor marks the fourth time he has won the EWL honor (2007-08, 1989-90 and 1986-87). Stottlemyer has also coached at least one All-American in 20 of the last 27 years.
Zanetta, a true freshman, wrestled at 125 all season and enjoyed a fantastic season in his rookie year recording a 34-10 record on the year. Zanetta claimed the EWL title and turned quite a few heads in his first NCAA Championship. In the Pitt record books, Zanetta finished tied for second in wins in a season with 34. His mark is also good enough for the 10th most wins recorded in a season by a Pitt wrestler in any year.
"Anthony is such a great kid" Stottlemyer said. "He is someone that you just can't help but pull for. He works hard and long and always with a smile on his face. But Anthony wants bigger and better things. He doesn't see himself settling. With his work ethic, he is going to continue to improve and make great strides."
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