The Shippensburg University wrestling team rallied from a seven-point deficit Saturday afternoon at Gannon by winning the final three bouts, snapping a four-match losing streak to the Golden Knights with a 20-16 victory in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Division II dual meet from the Hammermill Center.
 
Shippensburg, ranked No. 5 in Super Region 1, built a 9-0 lead after junior Dante Steffenino opened with a pin in 2:26 at 133 pounds. Junior Karl Lightner then posted his second win in as many nights with a 4-3 decision at 141 pounds over John Marotto, the No. 5-ranked wrestler in Super Region 1.
 
Gannon, ranked No. 9 in Super Region 1, countered with five straight wins (the last being a major decision) to lead 16-9 through seven bouts.
 
The comeback began at 197 pounds. Sophomore Evan Ramos scored a 6-1 win over Lorenzo Maddox, the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the region at 184 pounds who was competing up one class. Ramos used a takedown in each of the first two periods to up his score, earning an escape and a riding-time advantage to secure the win.
 
A turning point came at heavyweight, where sophomore Derek Earnest picked up his first collegiate victory in a 3-0 decision over Nigel Toussaint. Earnest scored a first-period takedown and finished with a riding-time advantage to claim the victory.  
 
Earnest's win put SU down just one point, 16-15, entering the final bout. At 125 pounds, freshman Dustin Steffenino roared to a 17-0 technical fall – clinching the win with 43 seconds remaining in the first period. Dustin had three two-point near falls and two four-point near falls in the win.
 
Shippensburg returns to action next Saturday at West Liberty.
 
Shippensburg 20, Gannon 16
133: Dante Steffenino (SHIP) pins Aaron Smith (GU), 2:26 (6-0)
141: Karl Lightner (SHIP) dec. John Marotto (GU), 4-3 (9-0)
149: George McGuire (GU) dec. Mike Springer (SHIP), 3-2 (9-3)
157: Garrett Smith (GU) dec. Adam Martz (SHIP), 8-3 (9-6)
165: Nathaniel Ross (GU) dec. Mark Lentz (SHIP), 9-2 (9-9)
174: Chris Matthews (GU) dec. Shane Springer (SHIP), 6-2 (9-12)
184: Nick Costa (GU) maj. dec. Hunter Fenk (SHIP), 16-8 (9-16)
197: Evan Ramos (SHIP) dec. Lorenzo Maddox (GU), 6-1 (12-16)
285: Derek Earnest (SHIP) dec. Nigel Toussaint (GU), 3-0 (15-16)
125: Dustin Steffenino (SHIP) tech falls Casey Vollmer (GU), 17-0 [2:17] (20-16)
 
Records:
Shippensburg: 9-6, 4-1 PSAC
Gannon: 3-3, 2-3 PSAC