By: Andrew Miller, sports information assistant
The Shippensburg University wrestling team got a taste of March and postseason-caliber opposition Friday with a road setback to No. 8 Pitt-Johnstown during a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) dual meet at the Sports Center, 44-3.
Shippensburg (1-4) took on a Pitt-Johnstown (3-0) lineup that featured nine wrestlers ranked in either the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) or Open Mat Division II national rankings, including the nation's top-ranked 125 pounder in Trevon Gray and No. 1 285-pounder in Isaiah Vance.
Nick Delp recorded SU's lone victory in a Top-20 matchup at 165 pounds.
Delp, ranked No. 15 in his weight class by the NWCA, battled Open Mat No. 19 165-pounder Trent Hoover to overtime before scoring the match-winning takedown in the first two minutes of sudden victory.
The back-and-forth bout saw Hoover strike for the initial takedown. Delp then fended off additional shots before scoring a takedown just before the first period buzzer.
Hoover reversed out of bottom to swing the score back in his favor to start the second period, 5-4. Delp scored a pair of escapes in the final two periods of regulation, while Hoover netted a vital riding time point to send the match into overtime tied at 6-6.
Delp's impressive defense was the difference in sudden victory. The graduate was able to scramble out of a Hoover shot and gained control of his opponent's left leg to garner the takedown and a 9-6 decision.
Pitt-Johnstown's eight additional nationally-ranked wrestlers all scored bonus point wins.
Shippensburg will return to action in 2026, taking part in the Manganaro Duals on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Ursinus College.
