No.1 Gavin Shines at NWCA All-Star Classic
11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 20, 2007
Pitt's Keith Gavin, the nation's top ranked wrestler in the 174 class, toppled No. 2 ranked Matt Stolpinski of the United States Naval Academy in an 8-4 decision tonight at McArthur Court in Eugene, Ore.
The No. 1 versus No. 2 match up was one of twelve bouts that took place on the campus of the University of Oregon as part of the 42nd annual NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps.
Gavin (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) controlled the bout early with a two-on-one grip and took down the Midshipman for a 2-0 lead. Stolpinski answered with an escape in the first, but not before Gavin had run up 1:22 of riding time.
Stolpinski chose down to start the second and registered another escape, tying the bout at two. The Navy grappler then tried for a half-shot, but Gavin countered and gained control, taking down Stolpinski and stretching his lead back to two. Before Gavin could close out the period, however, the Midshipman broke free once more and sliced the deficit to just one.
Gavin, last year's national runner up at 174, started down in the third and immediately regained his two-point lead with an escape. The Factoryville, Pa., native then added to his cushion with a small flurry and another takedown, making the count 7-3. He cut Stolpinski loose with 0:15 left in the bout and added a point for riding time to set the final at 8-4.
The win marked Gavin's third of the year, with the other two coming in Pitt's dual matches against Lehigh and Bloomsburg. The Panthers will return to action on Friday, Nov. 30, when they travel to Las Vegas, Nev., for the Las Vegas Invitational.