Fittery Wins Nationally-Ranked Matchup at 133 in 22-12 Loss at #5 UPJ

Dec. 1, 2006

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - In the annual matchup of Division II East Region wrestling powerhouses, it was the Pittsburgh-Johnstown (UPJ) that emerged victorious as the fifth-ranked Mountain Cats defeated Shippensburg, 22-12.

After red-shirt freshman Andrew Jones (Haverford/Haverford) fell in the opening match by an 11-4 result, it was Red Raider (0-1) talented freshman Steve Fittery (Denver/Cocalico) that earned a 6-1 decision in overtime over No. 4-ranked Brandon Reasy, a reigning All-American for the Mountain Cats. The win improved Fittery's record to 9-3 on the season.

By the conclusion of the match at 149 pounds, Shippensburg held its only lead of the night. Red-shirt junior Dan Nauman (Middletown/Middletown) recorded the only fall of the evening, taking down UPJ’s Mazen Kholi in 2:39 to give Shippensburg a 9-7 lead.

The other important victory for the Red Raiders on Friday evening came at heavyweight, where red-shirt sophomore Jason Groller (Easton/Easton) dropped UPJ’s Jon Neese in a 4-3 decision. Groller is now 5-1 in six career matches at Shippensburg.

UPJ (3-2) would ultimately take control over the course of the next several matches, as the Mountain Cats would record five consecutive decisions to take a 22-9 lead. At 165 pounds, red-shirt sophomore Derek Deutsch (Nazareth/Nazareth) would battle No. 3-ranked Albert Miles to the end, but fell in an 8-5 decision.

In the most anticipated matchup of the evening, Shippensburg's No. 2-ranked senior Mark Murphy (Dillsburg/Northern York) lost a 6-1 decision to No. 1-ranked Mike Corcetti as Murphy has now dropped three of his four matches to Corcetti over the course of the last three seasons. Murphy's lone victory over Corcetti came at last year's National Duals.

In other action Friday night, junior Peter Grodziak (Allentown/Parkland) fell to No. 4-ranked Mike Fowler in a 7-2 decision, while red-shirt sophomores Rick Mascino (Philadelphia/North Catholic) and Jake Wilson (Carlisle/Carlisle) also dropped decisions.

The Red Raiders will waste no time getting back on the mat as they will be competing in the Penn State Open in State College on Sunday. Competition begins at 9:00 a.m.

#5 Pittsburgh-Johnstown 22, Shippensburg 12
125 - Derreck Bosso (UPJ) dec. Andrew Jones, 11-4 (3-0)
133 - Steve Fittery (SU) dec. #4 Brandon Reasy, 6-1 OT (3-3)
141 - Shane Valko (UPJ) major dec. Bill Purvis, 14-6 (7-3)
149 - Dan Nauman (SU) pins Mazen Kholi, 2:39 (7-9)
157 - Joe Strittmatter (UPJ) dec. Jake Wilson, 6-1 (10-9)
165 - #3 Albert Miles (UPJ) dec. Derek Deutsch, 8-5 (13-9)
174 - Eli Garshnick (UPJ) dec. Rick Mascino, 6-1 (16-9)
184 - #1 Mike Corcetti (UPJ) dec. #2 Mark Murphy, 6-1 (19-9)
197 - #4 Mike Fowler (UPJ) dec. Peter Grodziak, 7-2 (22-9)
Hwt - Jason Groller (SU) dec. Jon Neese, 4-3 (22-12)

Records
UPJ 3-2, Shippensburg 0-1

- Red Raider Wrestling -