Pitt’s wrestling program received a significant boost in manpower for the 2022-2023 season Friday when All-Americans and two-time ACC champions Nino Bonaccorsi and Micky Phillippi decided to use their extra season of NCAA eligibility.
The former WPIAL stars — Bonaccorsi from Bethel Park, Phillippi from Derry — have won a combined total of 214 matches.
The extra year is due to an NCAA ruling that the 2020-21 season does count against a wrestler’s eligibility.
“I’m super excited and feel blessed to have the opportunity to chase my dreams at Pitt for one more year,” Phillippi said in a statement. “We are going to make the most of this opportunity.”
“I’m also excited to return to Pitt for another year with the goal of fulfilling my dream of becoming a national champion,” Bonaccorsi said.
Bonaccorsi won ACC championships at 197 pounds and was runner-up at the 2021 NCAA Championships. A four-time NCAA qualifier, Bonaccorsi owns 98 career victories. He will be one of the favorites nationally.
Phillippi is a four-time NCAA qualifier. With 116 victories and four consecutive ACC final berths, he has been a consistently top-10 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds.
