Steve Fittery Ranked Second in Division II at 141 Pounds, Team Receiving Votes

Oct. 31, 2007

EDMOND, Okla. - Shippensburg University wrestling sophomore Steve Fittery (Denver/Cocalico) was ranked second at 141 pounds in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Rankings recently released by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association. As a team, the Red Raiders were one of six team receiving votes in the preseason poll.

Fittery, who totaled a 36-7 overall record in his first season with Red Raiders a year ago, was ranked second behind Kyle Evans of Central Oklahoma, the defending national champion at 141 pounds who finished the season with a perfect 39-0 record.

Evans, who was ranked No. 1 all last season, handed the third-ranked Fittery a 7-1 loss in the national championship match at last year's NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.

Fittery's 36 wins last season were the fourth-most in a single-season in school history. After starting the season with a 16-5 record at 133 pounds, he finished the season with a 20-2 mark at 141 that included wins in his first 11 matches.

In addition to his runner-up finish at the national championships, Fittery had a first-place finish at the Shorty Hitchcock Memorial Classic and the NCAA Division II East Regional.

As a team, Shippensburg finished 5-8 last season and third at the East Regional Championships. Fittery is the team's lone returning national qualifier after the loss of Mark Murphy to graduation and Jason Groller to injury. However, Murphy rejoins the team this season as an assistant coach.

The Red Raiders are currently scheduled to face two teams who are ranked in the top-20 of the preseason poll in No. 5 Pittsburgh-Johnstown and No. 14 Mercyhurst. In addition, Shippensburg will wrestle Gannon and West Liberty State, both of whom are receiving votes, as well as Delaware Valley who was ranked sixth in the Division III preseason poll.

Shippensburg opens its season at home against York College on Wednesday, November 14 beginning at 7:00 p.m., inside Heiges Field House.

- Red Raider Wrestling -