Nov. 11, 2006

Erie, Pa. - Seniors Jared Ricotta and Brad Cipriani and junior Jonathan Bittinger led the Dukes to a third place finish Saturday at the National Catholic Wrestling Invitational, at Mercyhurst's Athletic Center.

Ricotta (Morrisdale, PA / West Branch) took John Carroll's Ryan Summers, 9-1, in the 184 weight class; Cipriani (Irwin, PA / Franklin Regional) won at 133 pounds via a 1-0 decision and at 125 pounds; and, Bittinger (Smithfield, PA / Albert Gallatin) secured a 9-5 decision over Paul Galipeau of Sacred Heart.

A fourth Duke, senior Tim Frank (Pittsburgh, PA / Fox Chapel), was the 197-pound runner-up, losing to Gannon's Jon Wentz.

Next weekend, Duquesne will compete at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md. on Saturday, November 18, 2006.

Team Results

Pl. School                   Pts  Champs1   Mercyhurst               144    32   Sacred Heart             133    33   Duquesne                 107.5  34   John Carroll             1035   Notre Dame (Ohio)         78.56   Gannon                    74.5  17   Mercyhurst North East     16