Fittery, Nauman, Barrick Post Victories in 29-13 Loss at No. 12 Gannon

Feb. 9, 2008

ERIE, Pa. - Shippensburg University wrestling sophomore Steve Fittery (Denver/Cocalico) won his eighth-straight match while red-shirt senior Dan Nauman (Middletown/Middletown) won his 11th out of the last 14, but it was not enough to overcome 12th-ranked Gannon as the Golden Knights won seven of the 10 contested bouts on Saturday en route to a 29-13 victory at the Hammermill Center.

It was Fittery's team-leading sixth major decision of the season at 141 pounds and the sixth-straight victory for Nauman at 157, the last three of which have come by fall.

The only other winner for the Red Raiders (6-4), who are currently ranked sixth in the WrestlingReport.com Division II East Region rankings, was red-shirt freshman Chris Barrick (Carlisle/Big Spring) who earned a 9-6 decision at 174 pounds over A.J. Sayles. The trio of Fittery, Nauman and Barrick are a combined 26-3 in dual matches this season.

After Shippensburg red-shirt sophomore Jon Hade (New Oxford/Bermudian Springs) lost a tightly-contested 4-2 decision to Pino Scavella, the Red Raiders trailed Gannon by only four, 17-13, with two matches remaining. Scavella entered Saturday's match as the nation's leader in falls with 17.

However, senior Peter Grodziak (Allentown/Parkland) forfeited his match at 197 to Jacob Tazzi, sealing the victory for the Golden Knights after they took a 23-13 lead.

Frank McGrath would then record a fall in 3:30 over red-shirt freshman Jon Rhone (Chambersburg/Chambersburg) to give Gannon its third consecutive victory to end the match and its first win over Shippensburg since 2003.

The Red Raiders fell behind 7-0 after the first two matches before Fittery, ranked second in the nation at 141, pulled them to within three 7-4 after his team-leading 19th win of the season. The team would then get to within one for the first time at 11-10 following Nauman's 17th victory and then again at 14-13 after Barrick's 17th.

Following a short stay in Erie, Shippensburg will return to action Sunday afternoon when it drives across town to face its third consecutive top-15 opponent in No. 15 Mercyhurst at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Gannon 29, Shippensburg 13
125 - Scott Baron (GU) dec. Andrew Jones 11-5
133 – Corey Bowers (GU) maj. dec. Gary Atiyeh 14-3
141 - #2 Steve Fittery (SHIP) maj. dec. Kevin McElhaney 17-8
149 – Zack McKendree (GU) maj. dec. Rob Cross 14-4
157 – Dan Nauman (SHIP) pins Brandon Monin, 3:45
165 – Tony Petrella (GU) dec. Zach Hogentogler (SHIP) 6-5
174 - Chris Barrick (SHIP) dec. A.J. Sayles 9-6
184 - Pino Scavella (GU) dec. Jon Hade 4-2
197 - Jacob Tazzi (GU) wins by forfeit
Hwt - Frank McGrath (GU) pins Jon Rhone, 3:30

- Red Raider Wrestling -