The Shippensburg University wrestling team began its weekend stay at the Kutztown University Duals on Friday night with a 25-19 dual meet victory over Super Region II opponent Belmont Abbey in a clash from Keystone Arena.
 
Shippensburg (7-9) opened the meet with an 18-0 lead through the first four weights, with bonus points being accrued by freshman Cole Rush in a forfeit at 133 pounds and junior Mike Springer scoring a victory by fall in 42 seconds at 149 pounds.
 
Springer, currently on a seven-match winning streak at 149 pounds, has won four straight bouts with a pin. His seven victories by fall this season leads the Raiders.
 
The dual meet started with a clash of regionally-ranked foes. Sophomore Dustin Steffenino, No. 6 in Super Region I at 125 pounds, rebounded with a 13-7 decision over Belmont Abbey's Michael Bedard, ranked No. 6 in Super Region II.  
 
At 141 pounds, senior Karl Lightner scored a 9-4 decision to improve to 10-6 on the year. Lightner, ranked fourth in the region at 141 pounds, has won three of his last four bouts.
 
Belmont Abbey (7-6), ranked No. 12 in the Super Region II rankings, mounted a comeback beginning with a victory by fall at 157 pounds. Greg Hilliard, ranked No. 7 in Super Region II, notched a pin before John Glunt got a major decision and the Raiders forfeited 174 pounds, making the dual meet score 18-16.     

Junior Hunter Fenk righted the Raiders with an 8-3 decision at 184 pounds, achieving his first win since December 3. Redshirt-junior Evan Ramos, ranked No. 6 in Division II, scored an 11-2 major decision at 197 pounds to cement the victory. Ramos is now 18-1.
 
Shippensburg returns to action with three duals Saturday at Kutztown, beginning at 11:30 a.m. versus American International.
 
Shippensburg 25, Belmont Abbey 19
125: Dustin Steffenino (SU) dec. Michael Bedard (BAC), 13-7 (3-0)
133: Cole Rush (SU) wins by forfeit (9-0)
141: Karl Lightner (SU) dec. Troy Gregor (BAC), 9-4 (12-0)
149: Mike Springer (SU) pins John Gahagan (BAC), 0:42 (18-0)
157: Greg Hilliard (BAC) pins Adam Martz (SU), 1:20 (18-6)
165: John Glunt (BAC) maj. dec. Ryan Narber (SU), 12-4 (18-10)
174: Seth Bridgeman (BAC) wins by forfeit (18-16)
184: Hunter Fenk (SU) dec. Tyler Maclaine (BAC), 8-3 (21-16)
197: #6 Evan Ramos (SU) maj. dec. Brian Girard (BAC), 11-2 (25-16)
285: Chass Delgado (BAC) dec. Derek Berberick (SU), 3-1 (25-19)
 
Records:
Belmont Abbey: 7-6
Shippensburg: 7-9