Pitt
Midlands Championships
Sheaffer Takes Second at 46th Midlands Championships
12/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 30, 2008
2008 Midlands Championships Finals Summary 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- University of Pittsburgh redshirt senior wrestler Zach Sheaffer advanced to the finals of the heavyweight bracket at the 46th Annual Midlands Championships, falling to second seed Mark Ellis (Missouri) by a 2-1 decision.
The Panthers finished 14th in the 48 team field which featured over 370 wrestlers this year. Defending champion Iowa retained its title, barley edging instate rival Iowa State by three points. Missouri was third with 121.5 points, followed by Wisconsin (98.5) and Northwestern (88.5) to round out the top five.
Sheaffer entered the second day with a 3-0 record and met Dan Erekson (Iowa) in the semifinals of the championship bracket. The senior captain punched his ticket to the championship match with a 5-3 decision, his 16th win of the year.
After a scoreless opening frame in the championship match, Ellis started the second period from the bottom position, where he reversed with 35 seconds left on the clock to take a 2-0 lead. Sheaffer quickly cut the lead to one with an escape several seconds later. Sheaffer entered the third period with the advantage in riding time, but was unable to escape from Ellis' grip, ultimately falling by a 2-1 count.
It was just the second loss of the season for Sheaffer. Both losses have come in the championship match of tournaments, with the first in early December at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.
Despite the loss, Sheaffer picked up his second runner-up finish at a prestigious tournament and also won his 100th career match in the quarterfinals, a second-period pin over Nate Everhart (Indiana).
The Panthers return to action with the first of eight consecutive dual matches to open the new calendar year. Pitt will host No. 8 ranked Illinois at Fitzgerald Field House. Match time is set for 7 p.m. for the Illini and Panthers.
