Mercyhurst wrestling star granted extra eligibility
Josh Shields started wrestling in kindergarten and had never being injured.
So, when the Mercyhurst senior had a shoulder tear during the PSAC championships in December, he was crushed.
"I was pretty upset. I was just wondering 'Why is this happening?' " said Shields, who had an 8-1 record and was ranked the No. 1 in NCAA Division II wrestling at 165 pounds earlier this season.
Shields didn't want his senior year to end like that, and now, it won't.
Initially denied a medical redshirt, Mercyhurst wrestling coach Mike Wehler and associate athletic director Aaron Kemp fought for Shields, and he's getting a second chance. Shields will receive an extra term of eligibility and will use it to compete from December to March next season.
"They did a great job in figuring out how to get me back next year," said Shields, a Burrell graduate.
He tore the shoulder in his first match of the PSAC Championships on Dec. 4 against Edinboro's Ethan Saylor. He wrestled three matches that day, only losing the last bout to Bloomsburg's Josh Veltre.
He'll have surgery Tuesday, and he will rehab for six to eight months.
"I felt like I just wanted to wrestle one more time," Shields said, "and now that I know that I can, it's a good thing. I just want to continue with the surgery and move on."
Still on top
The West Liberty men's basketball team remains No. 1 in NCAA Division II National Association of Basketball Coaches poll.
The Hilltoppers are winning by an average of 36.2 points and converting 52.6 percent of their shots. They've also made 375 3-pointers this season, almost as many as their opponents have attempted (409).
Mercyhurst jumped two spots to No. 17, while Indiana (Pa.), last year's national runner-up, received votes.
Unfamiliar territory
After losing twice to St. Francis (Pa.) recently, the Robert Morris women's basketball team dropped to second in the Northeast Conference standings.
The Colonials have at least shared the conference lead since January 21, 2010, before Saturday's first loss to the Red Flash.
Winning at home has been key to the Colonials' NEC success. Since 2004-05, Robert Morris is 51-10 in conference home games.
Veterans Night
The Pitt-Bradford basketball teams will have Veterans Night tonight during their home finales.
Veterans and their families will receive free admission, and all proceeds go to the McKean County Veterans Association.
The women will play at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m.
