Pitt's Gavin Named as EWL Wrestler of the Week
11/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Gavin talks Pitt WrestlingPITTSBURGH--Pitt's Keith Gavin, the No.1 ranked wrestler in the 174-pound division, has been named as the Eastern Wrestling League's Wrestler of the Week for his performance at the 42nd Annual NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps.
An All-American, Gavin (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) is undefeated in three bouts this year and was one of only 24 wrestlers selected to compete in the NWCA's showcase event. During the 2006-07 season, Gavin captured the EWL crown, finished second at the NCAA Tournament and completed his redshirt junior campaign with a record of 28-4.
Gavin represented the Panthers at McArthur Court on the campus of the University of Oregon and earned a convincing 8-4 decision against No. 2 ranked Matt Stolpinski of the United States Naval Academy.
Gavin 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 started down in the third and immediately regained his two-point lead with an escape. He 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.
Pitt's wrestling team will return to action this weekend when they travel to Las Vegas, Nev., for the 26th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational on Friday and Saturday.