Pitt Edges WVU

By Steve Stone
WVU Sports Information Office

February 8, 2008 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team was beaten by No. 22 Pitt, 18-17, in the 53rd annual “Backyard Brawl” on Friday, Feb. 8, at the WVU Coliseum.

The Mountaineers (6-4, 3-1) fell just shy of beating their arch rival for the seventh consecutive season after No. 14 ranked heavyweight Zach Sheaffer defeated No. 16 Dustin Rogers in a 9-3 decision in the final match. The three team points garnered by Sheaffer gave Pitt the victory in front of a crowd of 1,309.

WVU was put in solid position when No. 12 Jared Villers (197) earned a 17-2 technical fall against Dave Crowell to give the Mountaineers five team points and put them ahead, 17-15, heading into the heavyweight bout. Villers stays undefeated in both Eastern Wrestling League play as well as dual matches, and is 14-2 overall this season.

Junior David Jauregui (149) scored a crucial win for WVU after defeating Joe Ciampoli in a 6-5 decision. Trailing 4-3 through two periods, Jauregui collected a takedown and an escape in the final period to hold off Ciampoli in a competitive match.

Kyle Turnbull (125) started off the night with a 3-1 decision over Ryan Bosso. After a 1-1 tie forced overtime, Turnbull scored a takedown and recorded his fifth win of the season.

Donnie Jones (165) pushed his EWL record to 4-0 by winning over Ethan Headlee in a 4-3 decision. Coming out aggressive, Jones could not muster any points in the first period but scored two takedowns later in the match to grab the win. Jones’ victory trimmed WVU’s deficit to 12-9 with four matches remaining.

Kurt Brenner (184) scored three takedowns in the first period to pace his victory over Dave Sullivan, winning in a 6-4 decision. Brenner improves to 11-3 overall and 9-1 in dual meets, and has won five of his last six matches in dual competition.

Junior Chance Litton (174) showed his grit against top-ranked Keith Gavin, but was defeated in a 4-2 decision. Litton scored an immediate takedown in the first period but could not garner any more points as he falls to 11-4 overall.

Senior Zac Fryling, wrestling in his final home match, also fell to a nationally-ranked grappler. No. 5 Matt Kocher decisioned Fryling, 7-5, in a hard-fought match that remained close throughout.

The Mountaineers will wrestle their final three dual meets on the road, beginning with a trip to Athens to take on the Ohio Bobcats on Friday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m.

PITT-18 WVU-17
125: Kyle Turnbull (WVU) DEC Ryan Bosso (PITT) 3-1, SV
133: Jimmy Conroy (PITT) DEC Jared Garvin (WVU), 4-2
141: Drew Headlee (PITT) FALL Stephen Waite (WVU), 4:10
149: David Jauregui (WVU) DEC Joe Ciampoli (PITT), 6-5
157: Matt Kocher (PITT) DEC Zac Fryling (WVU), 7-5
165: Donnie Jones (WVU) DEC Ethan Headlee (PITT), 4-3
174: Keith Gavin (PITT) DEC Chance Litton (WVU), 4-2
184: Kurt Brenner (WVU) DEC Dave Sullivan (PITT), 6-4
197: Jared Villers (WVU) TECHNICAL Dave Crowell (PITT), 17-2
HWT: Zach Sheaffer (PITT) DEC Dustin Rogers (WVU), 9-3


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