SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University wrestling team fought tooth and nail Saturday night in a regional showdown against West Liberty, a squad that was fresh off a victory the night before over No. 8 UPJ, but ultimately dropped a 21-18 decision to the Hilltoppers from Heiges Field House.

After forfeiting the 125-pound bout, sophomore Cody Myers put SU right back into the swing of things with his first pin of the season. Myers earned the victory by fall in 4:47 after having already accrued a couple of takedowns and a two-point near fall earlier in his bout. He is now 6-0 this season and has still yet to allow more than two points against him in a dual.

Trailing 12-6, sophomore Kenny Stank earned his team-leading second pin of the season with just 19 seconds remaining in his bout at 157 pounds. Stank was on pace for a potential major decision until getting reversed with about a minute remaining in his match. Stank then turned the tables with a reversal of his own and got his opponent on his back for the pin. His season record is now 3-2.

Freshman Luke Etter improved to 4-0 with a hard-fought decision at 174 pounds. Holding a slim 1-0 lead entering the third period of his match, Etter began on offense against his opponent and quickly achieved a three-point near fall en route to a 4-1 decision.

Senior Tyler Zittle earned his first victory of the season with an impressive takedown in overtime at 184 pounds to achieve a 3-1 decision.

The match was tied 18-18 entering the final heavyweight bout, which went to overtime with a 1-1 score. West Liberty's JD Ramsey did not allow junior Dan Estricher to escape in the second overtime period and achieved an escape of his own in the third and final overtime frame to pick up a match-clinching 2-1 decision. It was the first loss of the season for Estricher (5-1).

Shippensburg will next compete in the PSAC Championships on Saturday, December 10 from Erie.

West Liberty 21, Shippensburg 18
125: Joe Wagstaff (WLU) wins by forfeit [0-6]
133: Cody Myers (SU) pins Dillon Nolte (WLU), 4:47 [6-6]
141: Nick Wykoff (WLU) dec. Simon Rice (SU), 10-5 [6-9]     
149: Art Hobley (WLU) dec. James Reilley (SU), 5-2 [6-12]    
157: Kenny Stank (SU) pins Mike Emery (WLU), 6:41 [12-12]
165: Jarrod Shaw (WLU) dec. Neil Grudi (SU), 8-3 [12-15]
174: Luke Etter (SU) dec. Matt Littleton (WLU), 4-1 [15-15]
184: Tyler Zittle (SU) dec. Derrick Williams (WLU), 3-1 (OT) [18-15]
197: Jacob Donley (WLU) dec. Dan Fultz (SU), 5-1 [18-18]
285: JD Ramsey (WLU) dec. Dan Estricher (SU), 2-1 (OT) [21-18]