Top Five Pitt Athletes That Stood Out in 2023

Pittsburgh Panthers forward Blake Hinson (2) February 25, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Wrestling-Nino Bonaccorsi

It’s hard for almost any Pitt athlete to have a better season than Nino Bonaccorsi did in 2022-23, as he won the National Title at 197 pounds at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. on March 18.

The win gave the Panthers their first National Champion since head coach Keith Gavin did at 174 pounds in 2008. It also gave Bonaccorsi a perfect season with 21 wins and no losses, joining Gavin as one of just six Pitt wrestlers to do both.

Bonaccorsi dominated his competition throughout the entire season, with 15 of his 21 wins coming against wrestlers who made the Championships. He also only gave up two takedowns during the Championships en route to the National Title.

The Bethel Park alum finished his Pitt career as a five-time NCAA qualifier, three straight ACC Titles at 197 pounds and a career record of 110-25. He also placed second at 197 pounds at the 2021 NCAA Championships, losing to Oklahoma State’s A.J. Ferrari.

The importance that Bonaccorsi’s season had for Pitt wrestling is something that will become more visible over time. During his six seasons with the program, he changed it from one that had embarrassing moments, to one that now has a National Champion that future wrestlers can emulate and look up to as a source of pride for the program.

Pitt Wrestling Nino Bonaccorsi January 8, 2023 Photo by David Hague

Olivia Babcock

Few first-year players have ever had the impact that Olivia Babcock did for Pitt volleyball in 2023.

Her great top spin serve and athletic play all around made her one of the most feared right-side hitters in the country. Her play in the back row also allowed the team to play a 5-1, with junior setter Rachel Fairbanks excelling as well, earning First-Team All-American honors.

Babcock’s 51 service aces rank No. 2 all-time in a season in Pitt volleyball history in the 25-point scoring era (2008-present) and No. 6 all-time, while her 0.44 service aces per set is level with the best in a season. Her 420 kills and 3.62 kills per set rank No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, while her 119 block assists, also rank ninth best in the 25-point scoring era for Pitt. She also finished fifth with 159 digs, 1.37 per set.

She received National Freshman of the Year, the first in Pitt history, and First Team All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for her play in 2023.

Her great play in the NCAA Tournament put Pitt back into the Final Four for the third straight season. She finished with 11 service aces, program best in an NCAA Tournament, 25 total blocks and 24 block assists, second best and 71 kills, third best.

Pitt volleyball is still searching for that first National Title and with Babcock back for the next three seasons, there’s no reason to doubt they will have a great shot each of those years.

Pittsburgh right side hitter Olivia Babcock (5) October 18, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Pitt Women’s Soccer-Sarah Schupansky

Pitt women’s soccer had the best season in program history, making it to their first ever ACC Semifinals and Elite Eight.

While there were so many players that had exceptional seasons, junior forward Sarah Schupansky had the best season of any Panther in 2023.

She scored 11 goals, 14 assists and 36 points in 2023, all team-highs in one of the most proficient attacks in the country. Her 14 assists, which tied senior forward Landy Mertz in 2023, along with her 36 points both set new program records for most in a season.

The North Allegheny alum excelled with her distribution and ambidextrous corner kicks, making her difficult for opposing defenders to account for. She created four assists in the NCAA Tournament, including two in the 4-3 thriller over No. 2 Arkansas in the Second Round.

Schupansky has already played an important role in the Sweet 16 run last season and the Elite Eight run this year. If history and trends say anything, her play should serve crucial for the Panthers to make their first ever College Cup in 2024.

Jamarius Burton

Pitt basketball, prior to last season, was in desperate need of someone to lead it out of the bottom of the ACC and back to relevancy.

Jamarius Burton, who had a solid season on a poor Pitt 2021-22 squad that finished 11-21, became the player that the Panthers could rely on in big moments or even when the team just needed a shot.

His mid-range game made him a great option offensively, not only in scoring points, but also with his efficiency, shooting 48.8% from the floor, second best on the team and best of any guard/forward. One of his best games in 2023 came when he scored 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field in a win against Georgia Tech in the Second Round of the ACC Tournament.

He also earned First Team All-ACC honors for his play last season, joining former forward Justin Champagnie as the only other Pitt player to do so back in 2021.

Burton, along with other graduate student guards in Nelly Cummings, Nike Sibande and Greg Elliott, all helped the Panthers make it back to the NCAA Tournament and give fans joy and pride back into the program. For that alone, Burton is deserving of the praise he earned last season and for years to come.