Wrestling standout Dylan Pitzer ineligible after transfer from Mt. Pleasant to Derry

By: Chris Harlan
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 2:51 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Wrestling standout Dylan Pitzer, a WPIAL runner-up last winter, could miss his junior season after transferring from Mt. Pleasant to Derry.

The WPIAL on Tuesday tentatively denied him eligibility in wrestling for one year based on transfer paperwork submitted by the schools, WPIAL executive director Scott Seltzer said. Mt. Pleasant flagged his transfer as possibly motivated by athletics, Seltzer said.

Derry can request an eligibility hearing before the WPIAL board, which could be scheduled later this month.

Pitzer went 44-4 as a sophomore, placing second in WPIAL Class 2A and fourth in the state at 285 pounds. His four losses included two against Central Valley’s Brenan Morgan, the WPIAL and PIAA champion who has graduated, making Pitzer a possible title favorite this year.

His career record is 79-16, including a fourth-place WPIAL finish as a freshman at 215 pounds.

Pitzer also plays football and was cleared by the WPIAL for regular season competition in that sport. However, Seltzer said Pitzer is ineligible for the football playoffs at Derry under PIAA transfer rules.

His brother, Dayton Pitzer, is a three-time state champion now wrestling at Pitt.

The WPIAL board on Tuesday reviewed eligibility paperwork for 94 transfers. Two others were denied regular-season eligibility: Fox Chapel football player Sam Resek and Chartiers-Houston soccer player Jose TecTec.

Resek transferred from Central Catholic, and TecTec came from Serra Catholic.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area, Mt. Pleasant