Millersville University
"Shorty" Hitchcock Memorial Classic
Smith Represents Hosts With Third-Place Finish
1/16/2011 9:29:50 PM | Wrestling
Complete Results
Millersville, Pa. - The Millersville wrestling program hosted the annual "Shorty" Hitchcock Memorial Classic Sunday in Pucillo Gymnasium, and junior 174-pounder Shane Smith captured third place for the hosts and moved into select company in Millersville history.
Smith posted a 6-1 record and scored three falls in his run to third. His only loss was an 8-1 decision to eventual champ, Rutger's Greg Zannetti. It was the first time Smith had placed in the tournament since his first year on campus. Back in 2008, Smith took fourth at 149 pounds. Smith has now won 14 of his last 16 bouts and is 21-8 on the season with 13 pins. He also became just the 27th wrestler in school history to win more than 70 career matches. Now with 76 wins in his career, Smith moved past Millersville University Hall of Fame member Michael Panarella (1968-72) and Tim Weaver (1986-90).
Smith opened with a 2-1 decision over Kutztown's Luke Etter and then pinned Drexel's Ethan Keiser in just 42 seconds. After falling to Zannetti, Smith ran through the wrestleback bracket with a 9-7 decision and two more first round pins. Smith controlled the third-place match, defeating Matt Fullowan of Franklin & Marshall by a 7-1 decision.
Steve Hess was the only other Marauder to make a deep run in the tournament. Wrestling at 149 pounds, Hess lost his opening bout, but he registered a pair of victories in the wrestleback bracket. He downed Barry Ball of United States Military Academy Prep with a pin in 2:20 and also bounced Drexel's Adam Powers with a 17-0 technical fall--his first of the seaon.
Millersville travels to Sacred Heart for a dual on Jan. 28.
