Red Raider Wrestling Closes Regular Season With 24-13 Victory At Kutztown

Feb. 20, 2008

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Shippensburg University wrestling team snapped a three-match losing streak by winning seven of the nine contested matches at Kutztown en route to a 24-13 victory inside Keystone Arena Wednesday night.

The Red Raiders (7-5) won the first three matches to build an 11-0 lead with back-to-back decisions at 125 and 133 pounds before sophomore Steve Fittery (Denver/Cocalico) picked up his third technical fall of the season by shutting out Jaime Soupik at 141.

The victory was the 10th consecutive for Fittery, who is ranked second in Division II, improving his record to 19-4.

At 174, red-shirt freshman Chris Barrick (Carlisle/Big Spring) won his team-leading 27th match of the season, defeating Curtis Beardsell, 8-1. Barrick is 27-5 this season and leads the team with nine falls, seven major decisions and five tech falls.

Red-shirt freshman Andrew Jones (Haverford/Haverford) started out the evening with an 8-1 decision over Eddie Harris to earn his 10th victory of the season.

Competing in just his third match at 133 pounds, freshman Gary Atiyeh (Whitehall/Whitehall) earned his second consecutive dual meet victory with a 10-5 decision over Rob Vollrath.

Additionally, red-shirt senior Dan Nauman (Middletown/Middletown) has now won 12 of his last 16 decisions after recording an 11-5 decision over Dave Zeek.

Kutztown (10-4-1) earned victories at 149 pounds and at heavyweight while also getting six points for a forfeit victory at 197 pounds.

Shippensburg will next compete in the NCAA East Regionals beginning on Friday, February 29 from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Last year, three Red Raiders earned East Regional titles, including Fittery.

Shippensburg 24, Kutztown 13
125 - Andrew Jones (Ship) dec. Eddie Harris, 8-1
133 - Gary Atiyeh (Ship) dec. Rob Vollrath, 10-5
141 - Steve Fittery (Ship) tech falls Jaime Soupik, 15-0 (5:12)
149 - Chris Chambers (KU) dec. Rob Cross, 6-2
157 - Dan Nauman (Ship) dec. Dave Zeek, 11-5
165 - Jake Wilson (Ship) dec. Sonny Flood, 4-1
174 - Chris Barrick (Ship) dec. Curtis Beardsell, 8-1
184 - Jon Hade (Ship) dec. Kyle Davis, 10-4
197 - Scott Snyder (KU) win by forfeit
285 - Kevin Bolinsky (KU) major dec. Jon Rhone, 9-1

- Red Raider Wrestling -