JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -
Matt Turek (Madison, Ohio/Madison) upset the region's top-ranked 125-pound wrestler and
Nick Budd (Port Allegany, Pa./Port Allegany) upended a higher-ranked heavyweight, but it wasn't enough as the Gannon wrestling team dropped a 27-8 decision Saturday night at No. 12 Pitt-Johnstown.
Saturday's battle featured two of the region's best programs. Gannon entered the contest ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II Super Region One. Pitt-Johnstown is tabbed fourth regionally and 12th in NCAA Division II.
Gannon managed only three victories, but they were three big ones in regards to regional rankings. Turek ignited the night with a 12-5 victory against Dave Fogel at 125 pounds. Ranked second in the region, Turek earned his ninth consecutive victory to improve to 19-5 overall and 9-1 in dual competition. Fogel, ranked No. 1 in the region and third nationally, was unable to duplicate a previous 7-2 win against Turek during the PSAC Championships.
Pitt-Johnstown sandwiched a pair of decisions around a major decision at 141 to forge ahead 10-3, but both teams were deducted one point for unsportsmanlike conduct after the 141-pound bout.
Buddy Blotzer (McKeesport, Pa./Serra Catholic) drew Gannon back within 9-5 after an 11-5 victory against Heath Coles at 157. Ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II Super Region One, the redshirt senior improved to 4-2 overall and within dual action.
However, UPJ answered with two pins and two decisions during the next four matches to clinch the victory. Budd managed three final points for Gannon during the heavyweight bout between another pair of regionally-ranked wrestlers. Budd, ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II Super Region One, knocked off the region's fourth-ranked grappler in Josh Duplin 5-3. The decision evened Budd's resume at 12-12 overall and 4-4 in dual competition.
Gannon dropped to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with its second consecutive loss against a top-12 team. Pitt-Johnstown improved to 12-1 overall and 4-1 in conference action with its 10th consecutive victory. The Golden Knights return to action Friday, February 14 at West Liberty. The Hilltoppers are ranked eighth in the NCAA Division II Super Region One. First bell is scheduled for 7 p.m.
