Coming off its best finish at the NCAA National Championship since 1970, Pitt wrestling kicked off its 2021-22 campaign with the Blue and Gold exhibition dual meet Thursday night at the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt wrestling fell agonizingly short of an ACC title in 2020 before the postseason was called due to the pandemic. But despite a key roster loss, the 2021 Panthers still have their eyes set on hardware.

After serving as a thorn in Pitt’s side over the past couple years, Ohio State wrestler Luke Pletcher is switching roles, crossing the mat to join head coach Keith Gavin’s staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

That match was simply a low-stakes warm-up. The real season is just around the corner, and head coach Keith Gavin believes his team is in a much better position to succeed than it was one year ago.