Pitt Wrestling Adds Navy Transfer, Probable Starter

Pitt Panthers added a talented Navy transfer to their wrestling program this week, who will likely start at 125 pounds next season.

Brick Memorial Evan Tallmadge defeated Luke Stanich of Roxbury 7-3 in the 120 lbs final lbs / Peter Ackerman / USA TODAY NETWORK

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers landed a transfer from Navy that will look to bolster their wrestling program as a probable starter next season.

Evan Tallmadge announced his commitment to Pitt wrestling on his Instagram. In his post, he wrote, "I don’t know what my future holds. But I know who holds it. All glory to god! 🙏🏻#H2P#Committed."

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Tallmadge attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in the 2022-23 season, accruing a 12-3 record competing in different tournaments and opens.

He began this past season as starter for the Midshipmen at 125 pounds, going 6-4 through December before suffering a season-ending injury.

One of his wins came against Pitt redshirt senior Colton Camacho back on November 12 in the Navy Duals, which he won on an 8-3 decision.

Tallmadge had an excellent high school career at Brick Memorial High School in Brick, N.J., in the central part of the state near the Atlantic Ocean.

He won back-to-back State Championships at 113 pounds as a junior in 2021 and at 120 pounds as a senior in 2022. He ended his career with an 118-11 overall record at Brick Memorial.

Tallmadge joins two former high school teammates in brothers in rising redshirt sophomore Vinnie Santaniello and rising sophomore Anthony Santaniello on Pitt wrestling. Vinnie Santaniello started for Pitt at 133 pounds last year and Anthony Santniello has a good chance to start at 141 pounds next season, taking over from long-time starter Cole Matthews.

Camacho chose to forfeit his sixth year of eligibility and entered the transfer portal. His opening allows Tallmadge to take the starting spot at 125 pounds next season.

This would make the first three weight classes (125, 133 and 141 pounds) all wrestlers from New Jersey for Pitt, which normally has numerous WPIAL and in-state wrestlers, as Pennsylvania is one of, if not the, best states for wrestling.

Class of 2024 recruit Jackson Young, who wrestled at Camden Catholic High School, will join Tallmadge and the Santaniello brothers as four New Jersey wrestlers for the Panthers.

Tallmadge is the second transfer into Pitt wrestling this offseason, along with Buffalo's Chase Kranitz, who wreslted in high school at nearby Norwin. Tallmadge has four years of eligibilty remaining and comes in as a redshirt freshman.

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