Fittery Scores Upset at 141, Red Raiders Fall to No. 9 West Liberty

Feb. 11, 2007

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Shippensburg wrestling freshman Steve Fittery (Denver/Cocalico) earned a decision over sixth-ranked Doug Surra of West Liberty State on Sunday, but it wasn' enough as the ninth-ranked Hilltoppers won six matches, including one by forfeit en route to a 23-15 victory over the Red Raiders at Heiges Field House.

Shippensburg (5-8) fell behind 10-0 after a forfeit at 125 pounds and a major decision by Matt Mossor at 133 before Fittery earned his 29th victory of the season at 141.

Fittery scored a takedown in the first period before Surra escaped in the second to give Fittery a 2-1 lead after two. In the third period, Fittery secured the victory by escaping free of a hold and getting to neutral with 20 seconds remaining.

Despite a 29-6 overall record this season, including 13-1 at 141 pounds and 16-5 at 133, Fittery has yet to be ranked this season.

Following third-ranked Tommy Clark's victory at 174, West Liberty (15-5) held a 20-6 advantage heading into the final three bouts, but Shippensburg still had a chance to sneak out an upset victory as senior Mark Murphy (Dillsburg/Northern York), who ranks fourth in school history with 32 career falls, and red-shirt sophomore Jason Groller (Easton/Easton), who is second on the team this season with three, were still to compete.

However, the burden to pull out needed victory would fall on the shoulders of junior Peter Grodziak (Allentown/Parkland), who despite entering the match with a 9-7 record and three victories by fall, had to beat the Hilltoppers' Chris Taylor who is currently ranked seventh in Division II at 197 pounds.

Taylor established control early, taking a 4-1 lead with two takedowns in the first period, but Grodziak was able to get an escape and hold Taylor scoreless in the second, cutting the deficit to two points.

However, Taylor scored on an escape to start the third and later scored a takedown with 45 seconds remaining to ensure an 8-2 victory with riding time.

At 184, Murphy and Chris Gibbs battled to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation, but in overtime, Murphy vigorously swept Gibbs off his feet with a takedown with under 20 seconds left and was able to work him over for a fall in 7:47. It was the 33rd fall of Murphy's career, tying him with Glenn Burket (1974-78) for third on the school's career list.

At heavyweight, Groller picked up his third victory in as many days this weekend with an 8-3 decision over Adrian Young. Groller is now 9-4 this season and 13-5 in his career.

Red-shirt sophomore Jake Wilson (Carlisle/Carlisle) was the fourth winner for Shippensburg on Sunday, defeating Brian Leggett 6-3 thanks to a successful first period in which Wilson jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Neither man was able to score a point in the third.

In addition to Murphy, Sunday marked the last home match in the career of red-shirt junior Darren Murray (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin). Murray went 2-1 this weekend with a victory on Senior Day Saturday to improve his overall record to 11-9 this season, including 4-3 at 133 pounds.

The Red Raiders return to action on Thursday in their final dual match of the season when they face 20th-ranked Kutztown at 7:30 p.m.

West Liberty State 23, Shippensburg 15
125 - Lucas Huffman (WLSC) won by forfeit (0-6)
133 - Matt Mossor (WLSC) major dec. Darren Murray, 12-4 (0-10)
141 - Steve Fittery (SU) dec. #6 Doug Surra, 3-1 (3-10)
149 - Joe Hagedorn (WLSC) dec. Dan Nauman, 10-7 (3-13)
157 - Jake Wilson (SU) dec. Brian Leggett, 6-3 (6-13)
165 - Jamie Bolen (WLSC) dec. Kirby Fanus, 11-4 (6-16)
174 - #3 Tommy Clark (WLSC) major dec. Rick Mascino, 15-3 (6-20)
184 - #8 Mark Murphy (SU) WBF Chris Gibbs, 7:47 (12-20)
197 - #7 Chris Taylor (WLSC) dec. Peter Grodziak, 8-2 (12-23)
Hwt - Jason Groller (SU) dec. Adrian Young, 8-3 (15-23)

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