WLU Matmen Claim Another Top 20 Victim

November 19, 2011

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The West Liberty University wrestling team knocked off its second nationally-ranked opponent in as many nights on Saturday when the Hilltoppers pulled out a 21-18 decision against No. 20 Shippensburg on the Red Raiders' mat.

Saturday's dual went right down to the wire as West Liberty's J.D. Ramsey, ranked No. 3 in the region, delivered an escape in the third overtime period of his 285-pound bout against Daniel Estricher, the region's No. 6-ranked heavyweight, for the clinching win.

It was the second consecutive impressive performance for Coach Brian Davis's Hilltoppers (2-0), who were coming off a 20-17 upset of No. 8-ranked Pitt-Johnstown on Friday night.

West Liberty 141-pounder Nick Wykoff set the tone for the Hilltoppers on Saturday night with a 10-5 romp past Shippensburg's Simon Rice, who came into the match ranked No. 5 in the nation in the 141-pound weight class.

Momentum swung back and forth throughout the meet with victories by Art Hobley (149) and Jarrod Shaw (165) combining with Wykoff's win and a forfeit at 125 pounds to give the visitors a 15-12 lead going into the final four bouts of the night.

The hosts eked out a pair of close decisions at 174 and 184 pounds to go up 18-15 but the Hilltoppers' Jacob Donley knotted the score at 18 by dominating his 197-pound match.

Donley racked up more than a 2-minute edge in riding time in coasting to the 5-1 win that set the stage for Ramsey's clincher.

The West Liberty wrestling team will be idle over the Thanksgiving break before opening the home portion of its schedule on Nov. 30 against Washington & Jefferson in a 7 p.m. match at the ASRC.

West Liberty 21, No. 20 Shippensburg 18
125: Joe Wagstaff (WLU) by forfeit
133: Cody Myers (Ship) p. Dillon Nolte (WLU), 4:47
141: Nick Wykoff (WLU) d Simon Rice (Ship), 10-5
149: Art Hobley (WLU) d. James Reilley (Ship), 5-2
157: Kenneth Stank (Ship) p. Mike Emery (WLU), 6:41
165: Jarrod Shaw (WLU) d. Raymond Grudi (Ship), 8-3
174: Luke Etter (Ship) d. Matt Littleton (WLU), 4-1
184: Tyler Zittle (Ship) d. Derrick Williams (WLU), 3-1,OT
197: Jacob Donley (WLU) d. Daniel Fultz (Ship), 5-1
285: J.D. Ramsey (WLU) d. Daniel Estricher (Ship), 2-1,OT


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