Alumni Update - Matt Wilps (Pitt)

Matt Wilps, a senior next season for the Pitt wrestling team, went 4-1 to post a runner-up finish at the University Freestyle Nationals at the University of Akron Field House.

The lone loss for Wilps (96 kg) came in the finals to Kent State’s Dustin Kilgore, the 2011 national champion. Kilgore, who took an Olympic redshirt this past season, and Wilps, who took fifth for his first All-America honors at the 2012 NCAA Championships, will compete again at the 2012 University World Team Trials on Aug. 17-18 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Prior to his loss in the finals, Wilps, a Chartiers Valley High School graduate, reeled off four straight wins to open the tournament. Included in those victories were two-period sweeps over Micah Burak (2012 All-American from Penn) and Cole Shafer (2011 national qualifier from Iowa State).

Wilps didn’t lose a period until his semifinal matchup with Deron Winn of Boise State. He bounced back from a 3-0 loss to win the final two periods 1-0, 2-0.

(photo courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh)