SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Senior Simon Rice scored a technical fall at 141 pounds and freshman Karl Lightner bumped up for a decision at 149 pounds Sunday afternoon but the Shippensburg University wrestling team dropped a 33-8 dual meet decision to No. 12 Pittsburgh-Johnstown inside Heiges Field House.

Rice took to the mat for just the second time this month but was able to score early and often against UPJ sophomore Craig Dawson, scoring a 19-2 technical fall in 4:24. He overcame an early takedown with a reversal and promptly recorded a pair of three-point near falls that surrounded a two-point near fall to lead 10-2 after the opening frame. Three more near falls in the second period concluded the scoring.

Lightner was bumped up to 149 pounds for the third time this season and was able to score his first victory when being elevated, defeating Cole Landowski 7-4. After a scoreless first period, Landowski started the second period on the bottom and escaped but Lightner later managed a takedown and a two-point near fall. Landowski reversed Lightner late in the frame, but the SU freshman escaped early in the third period and scored another takedown en route to his ninth win of the year.

SU honored five seniors Sunday – 125-pounder Dave Calambas, Rice, 184-pounder Casey Hedash and heavyweights Jacob Nale and Dan Fultz.

Nale dropped a 2-0 decision to Josh Duplin, while Calambas and Hedash had tough assignments facing nationally-ranked wrestlers. Calambas was defeated by senior Dave Fogle, an All-American and two-time national qualifier ranked No. 8 in Division II, while Hedash came up short against junior Travis McKillop, a two-time All-American ranked No. 2 in Division II. 

Shippensburg will travel to face Kutztown at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow inside Keystone Arena.

#12 UPJ 33, Shippensburg 8
125: #8 Dave Fogle (UPJ) maj. dec. Dave Calambas (SHIP), 10-0 (4-0)
133: Luke Palamides (UPJ) maj. dec. Dante Steffenino (SHIP), 9-0 (8-0)
141: Simon Rice (SHIP) tech falls Craig Dawson (UPJ), 19-2 [4:24] (8-5)
149: Karl Lightner (SHIP) dec. Cole Landowski (UPJ), 7-4 (8-8)
157: Heath Coles (UPJ) dec. Mark Lentz (SHIP), 3-1 (OT, TB1) (11-8)
165: Gary Lantz (UPJ) tech falls Colton Rebert (SHIP), 16-0 [6:32] (16-8)
174: Nikos Garofola (UPJ) maj. dec. Brett Pastore (SHIP), 11-0 (20-8)
184: #2 Travis McKillop (UPJ) maj. dec. Casey Hedash (SHIP), 14-3 (24-8)
197: Zac Bennett (UPJ) won by forfeit (30-8)
285: Josh Duplin (UPJ) dec. Jacob Nale (SHIP), 2-0 (33-8)

Records:
Pitt-Johnstown: 13-1, 5-1 PSAC
Shippensburg: 8-13, 2-4 PSAC