Demetrius ThomasPITTSBURGH -- University of Pittsburgh head wrestling coach Keith Gavin announced Monday the additions of Brendon Fenton and Demetrius Thomas to the 2018-19 roster.
Fenton will be an incoming freshman out of Amherst, Ohio, while Thomas joins the Panthers as a junior after spending his first two years at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, Ark.
"We are very excited about our two late signees," Gavin said. "Brendon and Demetrius are in weight classes we need and both can make a major contribution to our team right away."
An aggressive and athletic wrestler, Fenton will compete at 125 pounds in college. The 2018 Elyria High School graduate is a two-time state champion with 144 career wins, is a Super 32 All-American, four-time state placer and three-time state finalist. At the conclusion of his senior campaign, Fenton was given the Paul Reynolds Trophy for Outstanding Wrestler of the Year, given to the top senior wrestler in Lorain County. Fenton was a three-time Ohio Freestyle National Team member.
"I chose Pitt because I'm excited about the young coaching staff helping reach my wrestling and academic goals," Fenton said. "I also really like the great group of teammates and I want to be a part of helping this program become a national powerhouse."
Thomas, a two-time All-American heavyweight out of St. Louis, spent his first two seasons at Williams Baptist University where he was the NAIA national champion as a freshman. That same year he was also a NAIA Midwest national qualifier champion, American Midwest Conference champion, and set a program record with 40 wins in a season. Thomas earned a runner-up finish at nationals a year ago, finishing the season 27-4 and was named AMC Wrestler of the Year while garnering All-America accolades.
"I saw not only a great place to succeed academically, but also a great program rising on a solid foundation," Thomas said.
Thomas graduated from McCluer High School where he placed third at the Missouri State Championships.
According to Gavin, Thomas' work ethic and athletic ability leads the coaching staff to believe that he can do big things at the Division I level.
Fenton and Thomas join incoming freshmen Luke Kemerer, Louis Newall, Cole Matthews and David Crawford who signed back in November.
The Panthers look to replace three starters after losing Dom Forys (133), Nick Zanetta (141) and Ryan Solomon (285) to graduation. Pitt returns redshirt junior and 2017 ACC Champion Taleb Rahmani (157), while redshirt freshmen Micky Phillippi (133) and Nino Bonaccorsi (184) will make their way into the lineup this season as well.
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