Los Angeles Rams select Pitt defensive end Ejuan Price
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 29, 2017
The Los Angeles Rams selected Pitt defensive end Ejuan Price with the 16th pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Price is the fifth Pitt player to be picked, making this the most successful draft for the program since 2011, when six Panthers were selected. The 6-foot, 255-pound lineman first...
Pitt offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty drafted by Giants
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 29, 2017
The New York Giants selected Pitt offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty with the 16th pick in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive lineman grew up in nearby Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. He was a four-time letterman in high school and enrolled in Pitt prior to the 2012 season...
Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman drafted by Buffalo Bills
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 29, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
The Buffalo Bills selected Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman with the 28th pick in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Peterman waited longer than expected — NFL.com projected that he would be picked in the third or fourth round. This past year, the Panther offense became the highest-scori...
Arizona Cardinals draft Pitt OL Dorian Johnson
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 29, 2017
The Arizona Cardinals selected Pitt offensive lineman Dorian Johnson in the fourth round of the NFL draft Saturday. Johnson was expected to go in the second or third rounds of the draft, but dropped into the fourth after a recently discovered liver condition. “[Friday] night, I had GM’s tell me th...
Storify: Twitter reacts to Steelers’ selection of James Conner
By Steve Rotstein | Senior Staff Writer
April 29, 2017
James Conner joins the Pittsburgh Steelers
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 29, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt running back James Conner is staying in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Conner in the third round as the 105th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He is the first Panther to be drafted by the Steelers since defensive back Hank Poteat in 2000. He was also the first Pitt player t...
Pitt tennis falls to Notre Dame in ACC Tournament
By David Leftwich | Staff Writer
April 28, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After a winless regular season in the ACC, the Pitt women’s tennis team was knocked out of the conference tournament and concluded its season with a first-round loss to Notre Dame. The No.15 Panthers (3-16, 0-14 ACC) simply couldn’t keep up with the No. 10 Fighting Irish (17-8, 7-6 ACC) on Wednesday in...
Pitt football dismisses senior defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 28, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt football coach Pat Narduzzi announced the dismissal of defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni from the team for disciplinary reasons on Friday. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound senior was expected to start on the Panthers’ defensive line in the fall and help fill the void left by departing seniors Ejuan Pri...
Men’s basketball hires Sam Ferry as assistant coach
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 26, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings finalized his coaching staff for the upcoming season with the addition of Sam Ferry as an assistant coach. Ferry will replace former Pitt assistant Jeremy Ballard, who left in March to become the associate head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University. Stallings and Ferry previously worked together at Vanderbilt, where Ferry was ...
Men’s basketball signs 6-foot-10 center Peace Ilegomah
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
April 25, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
After a plethora of defects to start the offseason, the Pitt men’s basketball program received a recruit on Monday with the signing of 6-foot-10 center Peace Ilegomah. Ilegomah played at Montverde Academy in Florida this past year and averaged 14 points and 12 rebounds per game. His team finishe...
Pitt women’s basketball signs Kyla Nelson for upcoming season
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Assistant Sports Editor
April 24, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
Coming off a month in which player after player has fled Pitt’s basketball programs, the women’s team got a commitment from a premier international player on Monday. The Pitt women’s basketball team announced it signed 5-foot 11 inch combo guard Kyla Nelson for the upcoming season. Nelson is from Wo...
Year in review: Five moments to remember in Pitt sports
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 24, 2017
Filed under Sports
The 2016-17 academic year will go down as one of the most memorable years in Pitt sports for a number of reasons. Several varsity programs underwent transitions, as high-profile coaches and administrators came and went. The basketball programs stumbled, but the football and volleyball teams excelled, ...
Pitt pulls upset, topples No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels
By Kait French | Staff Writer
April 24, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt baseball team came into this weekend with low expectations for its series with the highly-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. But in the series finale, the Panthers rode an offensive explosion to knock off the No. 3 team in the country. After dropping the first two contests with just three combined...
Pitt softball secures series win over NC State
By Rebecca Sauers | Staff Writer
April 24, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt softball team has experienced a somewhat disappointing year — seeing a 9-0 start turn into a 23-21 record — but senior Kaitlin Manuel walked off with a win on Sunday at Vartabedian Field. Down three in the seventh inning, the team rallied to send the game into extra innings before first-year...
Pitt men’s basketball loses commitment from Aaron Thompson
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
April 22, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team isn’t only suffering from an exodus of transfers — now, it’s losing recruits as well. According to a press release Friday night, the university granted incoming freshman point guard Aaron Thompson a release from his National Letter of Intent, which he signed Nov....
From the diamond to the dugout: Pazos keeps command
By Stephen Caruso | Contributing Editor
April 20, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Sports Features
The Pitt baseball team seemed primed for a rare sweep on a summery Saturday in late March against Virginia Tech. The Panthers were up 4-0 in the top of the fifth in the second game of the series. Redshirt junior pitcher Matt Pidich was on the mound and had yet to allow a baserunner. The third and fi...
Women’s basketball renews Backyard Brawl
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
April 20, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
The Backyard Brawl is returning to yet another sport — women’s basketball. Pitt announced in a press release Thursday afternoon that its rivalry with the West Virginia University women’s basketball program will resume Dec. 7, in Morgantown, West Virginia. The rivalry — which has been dormant for fiv...
Josh Gibson: Unsung, until now
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
April 20, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Sports, Sports Features
After decades of relative obscurity, a Pittsburgh legend will finally have his story told — albeit in an unlikely place. The Pittsburgh Opera will perform the world premiere of “The Summer King,” which chronicles the life of Negro League baseball star Josh Gibson, from April 29 to May 7 — ticke...
Pitt baseball falls to Golden Flashes, 12-8
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 20, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
In the second game of back-to-back mid-week contests, the Pitt baseball team couldn’t keep up with the Kent State Golden Flashes Wednesday night. The Golden Flashes (21-12) knocked the Panthers’ pitchers around from the start, amassing 15 hits in a 12-8 victory. Kent State also took a 7-6 win aga...
Panthers maul Nittany Lions in State College, 9-1
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 19, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
From the football field to the baseball and softball diamonds, Penn State just can’t find a way to beat Pitt. The Pitt baseball team (16-17, 7-11 ACC) annihilated the Nittany Lions (12-24, 1-8 Big Ten) Tuesday night in State College, Pennsylvania, rolling to a 9-1 win to sweep the season series...
Buckeyes barely beat Panthers softball, 3-2
By Rebecca Sauers | Staff Writer
April 19, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Sophomore Olivia Gray offered a promising start to the Panthers’ matchup against Ohio State Tuesday afternoon, smacking a leadoff home run over the center field fence to give Pitt an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. “As the first batter, your job is to set the tone for the game, and ideall...
Pitt to host 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships at PPG Paints Arena
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 18, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
For the first time in more than 60 years, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are coming back to Pittsburgh. The NCAA awarded the city of Pittsburgh with the 2019 NCAA Championships on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the sport’s three-day championship event to PPG Paints Arena from March 21-23. ...
Pitt unveils brand-new $13.2 million club sports facility
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
April 18, 2017
Filed under Club Sports, Sports
Pitt students and club sports athletes received a much-needed facilities upgrade Monday morning, as the University officially opened the Pitt Sports Dome to the student body. The sunny sky and warm weather were in stark contrast to the dome’s primary purpose as a functional winter facility, somet...
Hurricanes blow by Panthers, win weekend series, 2-1
By Kait French | Staff Writer
April 17, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt baseball team started the weekend with a convincing win over a historic national powerhouse. But the Panthers’ bats scored just three runs in the next two games to drop their weekend series against the Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes (17-19, 9-9 ACC) usually dominate the Panthers (15-17, 7-11...
Glick, Newkirk, Palmer win at Louisville Invitational
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
April 17, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt track and field team traveled to the Bluegrass State this weekend for Louisville Invitational. In the city famous for the Kentucky Derby, first-year Drew Glick, junior Quadaisha Newkirk and senior Desmond Palmer ran well in this weekend’s meet, with all three completing the weekend with i...
Orange Alert: Syracuse softball sweeps Panthers
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
April 17, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Going into the weekend series against the evenly-matched Syracuse Orange, the Pitt softball team expected a competitive game. After three straight losses, the Panthers came out to claim last place in the ACC standings. The Panthers scored just four runs over the course of three games against the Orang...
Pitt tennis remains winless in ACC
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
April 17, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The struggling Pitt tennis team, which hasn't won a team match since March 11, went into this weekend completely winless in the ACC. That didn't change over Easter weekend as the Panthers (3-14, 0-13 ACC) lost at home Friday against the No. 40 Virginia Cavaliers and Sunday to the No. 45 Miami Hurricane...
Henderson shines as Gold team defeats Blue at Pitt’s Spring Game, 23-14
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
April 15, 2017
The Pitt football team will enter the 2017 season without either star running back James Conner or quarterback Nathan Peterman, who both left the Panthers for the NFL Draft. But junior wide receiver Quadree Henderson showed why Pitt will still be an explosive offense by dazzling during Saturday’s...
GALLERY: Pitt football’s Spring Game
By Anna Bongardino | Staff Photographer
April 15, 2017
After Wednesday's draft, Pitt's Gold Team defeated the Blue Team in the annual Spring Game held at Heinz Field Saturday, April 15. Quadree Henderson racked up 137 yards and a touchdown for the Gold Team in a 23-14 win. ...
Keith Gavin returning to Pitt as new head wrestling coach
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 14, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Heather Lyke made the first big hire of her tenure as Pitt’s athletic director Friday morning, naming former national champion Keith Gavin as the Panthers’ new head wrestling coach. “We are thrilled to announce Keith Gavin as the new head coach of the University of Pittsburgh wrestling progra...
Gold team rules: Rosters set for Saturday’s spring game
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 13, 2017
The Pitt football team’s players and coaching staff gathered in the team room Wednesday morning at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side for some very important business: picking teams for Saturday’s Blue-Gold game. Linebackers coach Rob Harley will coach the Blue team, while running backs and spe...
Q&A: Joslin Sellers engineers final success on the track
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
April 11, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Senior distance runner Joslin Sellers has been carving out her spot on the track since the seventh grade. This year, as she finishes up a nearly ten-year running career, she solidified a high-ranking position in Pitt history after finishing the 2016-17 indoor season with not one but two record-breaki...
McKayla Taylor named ACC Player of the Week
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
April 11, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Thanks to an excellent week at the plate and in the field, junior Pitt shortstop McKayla Taylor became the ACC’s Softball Player of the Week Tuesday afternoon. The Atlantic Coast Conference announced the honor Tuesday afternoon. The Florida State Seminoles swept the Panthers in Tallahassee the weekend ...
From Pitt to the pros: Spratling sprints to stardom
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
April 10, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports Features
Brycen Spratling sports Nike shoes, sweatpants and a short-sleeve black-and-blue shirt while warming up for his workout. He slowly trots around the track, bouncing to the beat of the music in his earbuds. An unknowing observer might assume he’s just there for a routine jog. But once he takes off, ...
Former Pitt PG Justice Kithcart Transferring to Old Dominion
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 10, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Justice Kithcart is the first of the five departing players — not including the four graduating seniors — from last year’s Pitt men’s basketball team to find a new home. Kithcart announced Monday afternoon via Twitter he will be transferring to Old Dominion University, a member of Conference USA. “Moving to the 757 like I’m the answer...
Head diving coach Julian Krug says goodbye after 38 years
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 10, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
One of the longest-tenured and most accomplished coaches in Pitt Athletics history is leaving the program, as Julian Krug announced his decision to retire Friday after 38 years as the Panthers’ head diving coach. “The intent has been coming on for some time. Face it, I’m 70 years old, I’ve...
Pitt softball pummels Virginia Tech Hokies in sweep
By Brandon Glass | For The Pitt News
April 10, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt softball team likely will not reenter the Top 25 rankings this season, but with this weekend’s sweep of the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Panthers gained three critically needed in-conference wins. Pitt (21-16, 4-11 ACC) started an extended home stretch by winning back-to-back in-conference...
Panthers baseball swept by Virginia Cavaliers
By Kevin Bertha | Staff Writer
April 10, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After coming back to win its series against the Duke Blue Devils last weekend and defeating in-state rival Penn State 3-2 Tuesday, the Pitt baseball team sought to continue its winning form against the Virginia Cavaliers this weekend. But the Pitt baseball team (14-15, 6-9 ACC) instead struggled in...
Pitt tennis trampled by Demon Deacons, Hokies
By David Leftwich | Staff Writer
April 10, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After dropping both contests during last weekend’s trip to North Carolina, the Pitt tennis team attempted turning its season around as it hosted No. 28 Wake Forest Friday and Virginia Tech Saturday. The team had no such luck, as the Panthers lost two weekend matches to elongate their losing streak...
Over Knight Sensation: Brittany Knight carving out starring role for Panthers
By Rebecca Sauers | Staff Writer
April 6, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Sports Features
You can’t pitch any better than Pitt true freshman Brittany Knight did Feb. 10, in her first game of college competition. Still, she was startled when a trainer approached her during a practice the next week. “Oh, congrats on ACC Pitcher of the Week,” the trainer said. “I was like, ‘...
Pitt softball gets back on track with 8-3 win at Saint Francis
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 5, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Returning from a humbling three-game sweep at the hands of the No. 1 Florida State Seminoles, the Pitt softball team got back on track Wednesday night. The Panthers (18-16) defeated the Saint Francis Red Flash (27-9) 8-3 in an extra-innings nonconference clash in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Pitt snapp...
Pitt baseball prevails over Penn State, 3-2
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
April 5, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
In front of a crowd nearly double the usual turnout, the Pitt Panthers struck out 13 Nittany Lion batters over nine innings to beat its in-state rival. The Panthers (14-12 overall, 6-6 ACC) came from behind to secure their win over Pennsylvania State University (10-17 overall, 0-3 Big Ten) in fro...
Panic at the Pete: Wise, Johnson’s transfers cause for alarm
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 3, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports Columns, Women's Basketball
It started with a harmless announcement March 13. That’s when sophomore guard Crisshawn Clark revealed his intention to transfer from the Pitt men’s basketball team after missing the entire 2016-17 season with a torn MCL and meniscus. Clark could have provided some useful depth for the Panthers if health...
Pitt baseball battles back against Blue Devils
By Kait French | Staff Writer
April 3, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt baseball team seemed in for a long weekend after suffering a 14-0 blowout in the series opener against Duke Friday. But thanks to an extra inning comeback and an excellent performance from senior pitcher Josh Falk, the Panthers took two of three from the Blue Devils. “I was very please...
Pitt track travels to Florida, California
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
April 3, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Panthers scattered over the country this weekend, with the the track and field team splitting up across three different meets in two different states. The majority of athletes made their way to Gainesville, Florida, for the 2017 Pepsi Florida Relays. The meet took place over three days this we...
Have mercy: Pitt softball swept by Seminoles
By Rebecca Sauers | Staff Writer
April 3, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt softball team needed mercy this weekend in Florida battling against the best team in the country. In NCAA softball, if a team is leading by eight or more runs after five innings, the game is ruled so uncompetitive that it doesn’t need to be played any longer. That’s what happened this...
Pitt tennis falls in North Carolina to Duke, NC State
By David Leftwich | Staff Writer
April 3, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Riding a four-game losing streak, the Pitt women’s tennis team looked to turn its season around during this weekend’s trip to North Carolina. Unfortunately for the Panthers (3-10, 0-8 ACC), the weekend brought no respite. The team played against No. 17 Duke in Durham Saturday and No. 26 North Ca...
Leading returning scorer Cameron Johnson leaving Pitt
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 1, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
After having three players transfer in the past three weeks, the Pitt men’s basketball team is now losing its leading returning scorer. Redshirt sophomore guard Cameron Johnson is pursuing his transfer from the university. Johnson’s father Gil confirmed the news to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette early Sat...
Pirates 2017 season preview
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 31, 2017
Filed under Sports
As spring training winds down and the calendar flips to April, sports fans across the country are coming to a welcome realization. Opening Day is almost upon us. The 2017 Major League Baseball season kicks off Sunday, April 2, with a three-game slate featuring the defending World Series champion Chica...
Pitt assistant Jeremy Ballard leaving to become associate head coach at VCU
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
March 30, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Pitt confirmed Thursday that assistant coach Jeremy Ballard is set to leave the Panthers to become an associate head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University next year. After dealing with three other departures from the Pitt basketball program in the last two weeks, Pitt head coach Kevin Stalli...
Panthers slam state rival Nittany Lions, 7-1
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 29, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
With the rival Penn State Nittany Lions in town and bragging rights on the line, the Pitt softball team left no doubt about who the best softball team in the state is Wednesday night. The Panthers (17-13) climbed out of an early 1-0 hole with seven unanswered runs in a 7-1 victory against the Nitta...
Raiders relocate to plunder Vegas’ pockets
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
March 29, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports Columns
My dad became a Baltimore Colts fan when he was 5 years old because he liked the color blue. By the time he was in his 20s and living in Baltimore, he was a season ticket holder and a fanatic. But when the Colts left the city in 1984 — due to the State of Maryland refusing to pay for renovatio...
Mountain too high to climb against WVU, Pitt falls 8-4
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
March 29, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
In the first of two Backyard Brawl games this season, the Pitt baseball team fell to the West Virginia Mountaineers, 8-4, due to a horrendous fifth inning in which the Panthers gave up five runs and committed three errors. The Panthers (11-11 overall, 4-5 ACC) were unable to surmount a seven-run ...
Tight end Matt Flanagan transfers from Rutgers
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 29, 2017
Filed under Football
It’s been nearly two months since Pitt locked up ESPN’s No. 31 football recruiting class in the country on National Signing Day, but the Panthers haven’t stopped adding to next year’s roster. Rutgers tight end Matt Flanagan announced his decision Monday to enroll at Pitt in the fall as a graduate transfer. Flanagan ...
TPN Panthers of the Month: Andin Fosam and Josh Falk
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
March 29, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Andin Fosam Andin Fosam, a junior thrower from Robbinsville, New Jersey, had already proved before March that she was one of the best throwers in the ACC. After this month, though, Fosam now is considered one of the best in the country. At last month’s ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Fosam finis...
Pitt baseball sweeps Virginia Tech behind stellar starting pitching
By Kait French | Staff Writer
March 27, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt baseball team is back above .500 after picking up a crucial three-game sweep against a conference rival. Pitt (11-10 overall, 4-5 ACC) hosted the Virginia Tech Hokies (14-12 overall, 3-6 ACC) at Charles L. Cost Field for a three-game showdown over the weekend, and the Panthers won all three....
Pitt softball notches first ACC win in series finale vs. Boston College
By Rebecca Sauers | For The Pitt News
March 27, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After eight straight losses to open up conference play, the Pitt softball team picked up its first ACC win of 2017 Saturday night. The Panthers (16-13 overall, 1-8 ACC) fell to the Boston College Eagles (17-12 overall, 4-2 ACC) in the first two games of the weekend series at Vartabedian Field. Pit...
Giordano caps college career as four-time All-American diver
By Kait French | Staff Writer
March 27, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Dominic Giordano secured his legacy as Pitt’s most decorated diver in program history at the 2017 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships over the weekend in Indianapolis. Giordano failed to defend his title Friday in the three-meter dive, but he still made history in the final competiti...
Fosam, Michael-Khensu shine at CMU Invitational
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
March 27, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
On a warm Friday and Saturday at Carnegie Mellon University’s Gesling Stadium, the Pitt track and field team finally got to compete close to home in its second meet of the outdoor season. The Panthers must have enjoyed the familiar setting, as multiple stadium records fell at the CMU Invitational over...
Pitt’s leading scorer and rebounder Brenna Wise to transfer
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 24, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
Just days after the Pitt men’s basketball team had its third player leave since the end of the season, the women’s basketball team’s star player is heading out the door. School officials announced Friday that sophomore forward Brenna Wise will pursue a transfer from the program. “Brenn...
TeShan Campbell says goodbye to Steel City
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 24, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After 21 years in the steel city he’s called home, TeShan Campbell is moving out. Campbell announced his decision Monday to transfer to Ohio State University to spend the final two years of his college career wrestling for coach Tom Ryan and the Buckeyes. The standout sophomore started out wrest...
Dominic Giordano places 16th in 1M dive at NCAA Championships
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 23, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Pitt senior diver Dominic Giordano is already adding to his well-stocked trophy case at the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships. Giordano earned Honorable Mention All-American honors on day one of the 2017 NCAA Championships in Bloomington, Indiana, placing 16th in the one-meter springboard div...
Panthers make last impression on NFL scouts at Pitt’s Pro Day
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 23, 2017
With a little over a month left before the 2017 NFL Draft, the Pitt football team’s draft-eligible standouts made one last impression on NFL teams Wednesday morning. Dozens of NFL scouts, coaches and reporters packed the practice facility at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side, as 19 Pa...
Kayla Harris carves up Kent State in 7-0 shutout
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 23, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
History nearly repeated itself Wednesday afternoon at the Pitt softball team’s 2017 home opener at Vartabedian Field. Junior pitcher Kayla Harris came five outs away from tossing her second perfect game in less than a month, but instead had to settle for a one-hit shutout in Pitt’s 7-0 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes (8-14). The Panthers (15-11 ove...
Damon Wilson transferring from Pitt men’s basketball team
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 23, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Another day, another player transferring away from the Pitt men’s basketball team. Sophomore Damon Wilson announced his intention to transfer from the team Wednesday, barely one week after true freshman Corey Manigault and sophomore Crisshawn Clark decided to leave the team. “I am grateful for my ...
Pitt wrestlers reflect on mixed season, look to next year
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 22, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Pitt wrapped up its season at the NCAA Division I Championships last weekend without an All-American wrestler for the second year in a row. After a season marred by senior 149-pounder Mikey Racciato’s curious absences and dismissal, a midseason coaching change and now sophomore TeShan Campbell’s impe...
Panthers can’t complete comeback at Kent State, fall 7-6
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
March 22, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Despite beginning the game with an early lead and a late offensive surge, the Pitt baseball team couldn’t come back against the hosting Kent State Golden Flashes Tuesday afternoon. Facing a three-run deficit in the ninth inning, the Panthers (8-10, 1-5 ACC) were able to plate two to make the score ...
Heather Lyke introduced as Pitt’s new athletic director
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 20, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Sports
Basketball season is over, but history was made Monday on the hardwood floor of the Petersen Events Center. Less than three months after Scott Barnes’ departure, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher hired Heather Lyke as Pitt’s new athletic director, making Lyke the first woman to serve as full-time a...
ACC Champion wrestler TeShan Campbell to transfer to Ohio State
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 20, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt wrestling team absorbed another huge blow just two days after the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season, as 165-pound ACC Champion TeShan Campbell announced his intention to transfer to Ohio State University. “Pitt Wrestling, you showed me so much over these two past years — we made some grea...
Pitt baseball avoids sweep with 2-1 win in extras
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 20, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After two games, 23 innings and nearly eight hours of baseball on a frigid Sunday at Charles L. Cost Field, the Pitt baseball team snapped a seven-game skid and earned its first ACC win of 2017. The Panthers (8-9 overall, 1-5 ACC) avoided a sweep against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-12 overall, 2...
Rathsack sets record, named All-American at NCAAs
By Kait French | Staff Writer
March 20, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After multiple record-setting swims at the ACC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, Pitt junior Lina Rathsack parlayed that momentum into national recognition at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Rathsack earned all four of the Pitt swimming and diving team’s points at the national championships t...
Pitt softball swept by Louisville over weekend
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
March 20, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt softball team's season continued its nosedive this weekend after losing three games in a row to the Louisville Cardinals. Coach Holly Aprile and the Panthers (14-11 overall, 0-6 ACC) started the season 9-0, elevating the program to No. 19 in the country, the highest ranking in the history o...
Kelly finishes first in 5000m at Yellow Jacket Invitational
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
March 20, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
With a first-place finish from junior Amy Kelly and several Panthers placing in the top 10, Pitt track and field ran past the competition in Friday’s Yellow Jacket Invitational at Georgia Tech’s George C. Griffin Track in Atlanta. Kelly’s win — her top finish since last April — came in th...
Panthers finish fifth at EAGL Championships
By Ted Zhang | Staff Writer
March 20, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Despite benefiting from some standout individual performances, the Pitt gymnastics team couldn't defend its crown as conference title-winners at Saturday’s East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championship. Sophomore Brittany West and senior Tracey Pearson had standout performances during Saturday’...
No Panther wrestlers left in title contention at NCAAs
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 17, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After a successful opening round at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, all four of Pitt’s competitors dropped out of contention for first-place titles by the end of the second session Thursday night. Junior 133-pounder Dom Forys, sophomore 165-pounder TeShan Campbell and redshirt junior heavyweight ...
Top 50 recruit Kizza Edward commits to Pitt men’s soccer
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 17, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt men’s soccer team hasn’t beaten an ACC opponent in four years of conference play, but the Panthers’ fortunes might soon change. Pitt received a verbal commitment Wednesday from forward Kizza Edward, one of the most prized prospects in the country. Edward, part of the prestigious Socce...
Top-50 soccer prospect Kizza Edward commits to Pitt
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 16, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt men’s soccer team still hasn’t beaten an ACC opponent in four years of conference play, but the Panthers’ fortunes might soon be about to change. Pitt received a verbal commitment Wednesday from Montverde Academy forward Kizza Edward, one of the most prized prospects in the country....
Four Pitt wrestlers begin quests for NCAA titles
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 15, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
It’s been nearly a decade since Keith Gavin took home the Pitt wrestling team’s most recent individual title at the 2008 NCAA Championships in St. Louis. The annual tournament returns to the Scottrade Center this year, where Gavin reached the pinnacle of the sport by capturing the 174-pound nat...
Students fill out their brackets, with or without Pitt
By Elizabeth Lepro and Bayard Miller | Contributing Editors
March 15, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
As the snow stopped falling Tuesday night, basketball fans on Pitt’s campus were just getting warmed up for the upcoming NCAA Tournament — despite Pitt’s now-deceased season. In the library at about 11 p.m., where students were cramming for next-day exams and working together on group project...
Clark, Manigault transfer from basketball team
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 15, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
Say goodbye to the Pitt men’s basketball team’s 2016 recruiting class. All three members of the Panthers’ 2016 class are no longer with the team, as true freshman Corey Manigault followed sophomore Crisshawn Clark in announcing his intention to transfer next season. “We wish Corey and Crisshawn the best of luck as they look to continue their college...
Pitt gymnasts named to All-EAGL, All-Academic teams
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
March 15, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt gymnastics team will compete on Saturday in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championship, but several Panthers have already won awards this week. The EAGL named six Panthers to its All-EAGL teams on Monday and a conference-high 18 to the All-Academic team on Saturday. Sophomores Lucy Brett, Mea...
True freshman Corey Manigault leaving Pitt
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Say goodbye to the Pitt men’s basketball team’s 2016 recruiting class. All three members of the Panthers’ 2016 class are no longer with the team, as true freshman Corey Manigault followed sophomore Crisshawn Clark in announcing his intention to transfer next season. “We wish Corey and Crisshawn the best of luck as they look to continue their c...
Sophomore guard Crisshawn Clark plans to transfer from Pitt
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Only one of the three members of the Pitt men’s basketball team’s 2016 recruiting class remains, as sophomore Crisshawn Clark announced his intention to transfer next season. Following head coach Kevin Stallings’ dismissal of point guard Justice Kithcart prior to the team’s regular season f...
Swan song: Pitt’s seniors reflect on college careers
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball, Sports
When the visitors’ locker room inside the Barclays Center opened to reporters moments after Pitt’s season-ending 75-63 loss to Virginia in the second round of the ACC Tournament, the room was silent. The post-game spread of food and drinks went mostly untouched. As the players sat side by side...
Game changers: Five players who will impact NCAA Tournament most
By Ted Zhang | Staff Writer
March 14, 2017
Filed under Sports
There are plenty of big-name players leading big-time programs into this year's Big Dance. But none will have a greater impact on which team gets to cut down the nets at the Final Four in Phoenix than these five: Grayson Allen He’s no Christian Laettner — the polarizing college basketb...
Five sleepers with a chance to make a splash in March Madness
By Kevin Bertha | Staff Writer
March 14, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Every year, shocking upsets in the NCAA Tournament force college basketball fans to throw their office pool brackets into the trash on the opening days of the tournament. No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee State eliminated No. 2 seed Michigan State in the first round last year, while No. 15 seed Florida...
Next year will be turning point for Panthers’ program after lost season
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Now that we know the season is over for Pitt’s men’s basketball team — with no postseason appearance and no winning record for the first time in 17 years — one question remains. Where do the Panthers go from here? Some have called for the axing of head coach Kevin Stallings after just one year on...
Pitt women’s basketball team maintains status quo in 2016-17 season
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Staff Writer
March 14, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
Around the time North Carolina guard Jamie Cherry buried her fifth 3-pointer of the game in the first round of the 2017 ACC Tournament, the Pitt women’s basketball team was starting to realize its season was over. The Panthers ended the regular season with a 13-16 overall record and a 4-12 record...
Pitt softball team loses two vs. James Madison, splits pair with East Carolina
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 13, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After starting the season with nine wins in a row and earning the first national ranking in program history, the Pitt softball team has stumbled into a slump. Inclement weather forced the cancellation of last weekend’s James Madison University Invitational in Harrisonburg, Virginia. So Pitt (14...
Pitt baseball swept by No. 4 Louisville to open up ACC play
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 12, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt baseball team had its first run-in of 2017 with a ranked opponent last weekend. The Panthers pitched well, but appeared completely overmatched at the plate and failed to pick up a win against the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals. Pitt (7-7 overall, 0-3 ACC) opened up ACC play by suffering a th...
ICYMI: Spring Break
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 12, 2017
Filed under Sports
March 3 Wise earns second straight All-ACC Academic selection - Pitt sophomore forward Brenna Wise received her second straight selection to the All-ACC Academic Team after posting a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall 2016 semester. Wise also led the Panthers in scoring and rebounding for the second year in a ...
No. 21 Virginia eliminates Pitt from ACC Tournament, 75-63
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 9, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team’s first season under head coach Kevin Stallings — and first losing season in 17 years — appears to be over. The Panthers (16-17) fell to the No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers (22-9), 75-63, in the second round of the ACC Tournament Wednesday night at the Barclays Cen...
GALLERY: Pitt vs Virginia, ACC Tournament 2nd round
By John Hamilton | Visual Editor
March 9, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Uncategorized
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Pitt holds on for 61-59 win over Georgia Tech in first round of ACC Tournament
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 7, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
It wasn’t easy or pretty, but the Pitt men’s basketball team held on to extend its season for at least another day. The Panthers (16-16) survived a last-minute rally from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-15) to pull out a 61-59 win Tuesday night in the first round of the ACC Tournament at t...
GALLERY: Pitt vs Georgia Tech, ACC Tournament 1st Round
By John Hamilton | Visual Editor
March 7, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Visual
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Pitt baseball drops three out of four in South Carolina
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 7, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After a strong start to nonconference play, the Pitt baseball team started to show signs of its inexperience last weekend. The Panthers (7-4) dropped three out of four games against mid-major opponents, scoring a total of only 10 runs over the weekend in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Pitt fell to the Wo...
No. 21 Pitt softball team swept in ACC opener at North Carolina
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 7, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt softball team’s momentum has evaporated after a remarkable start to the season. The No. 21 Panthers (12-5 overall, 0-3 ACC) opened up conference play over the weekend in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where they suffered a three-game sweep against the North Carolina Tar Heels (15-4 overall...
Young named to All-ACC Third Team, Artis earns honorable mention
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 5, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team finished the regular season in next-to-last place out of 15 teams in the ACC, but the Panthers still had two players recognized as part of the All-ACC teams Sunday afternoon. Senior forward Michael Young repeated as a member of the All-ACC Third Team, while senior p...
Brenna Wise earns second-straight All-ACC Academic selection
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 5, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
In her two years at Pitt, sophomore forward Brenna Wise immediately took over as the women’s basketball team’s best player following star point guard Brianna Kiesel’s graduation. Now, Wise is following Kiesel’s path in the classroom as well as on the court. The Pittsburgh native receiv...
Pitt wrestlers Forys, Rahmani and Campbell capture first ACC titles
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 4, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The No. 23 Pitt wrestling team appears to be peaking in the postseason, and the Panthers have three individual ACC titles to prove it. Junior 133-pounder Dom Forys (19-1) and sophomore 165-pounder TeShan Campbell (20-2) showed why they came into the tournament as No. 1 seeds, as each won a pair of ...