#5 Steve
Fittery of the wrestling team has been named the
American University Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO
after capturing the 157 lbs. title at the 47th Annual Midlands
Championships. Fittery won all five of his bouts at the tournament
by bonus points and was crowned Champion of Champions.
Fittery, the top-seeded wrestler at 157 lbs., was dominate over
the course of the tournament, picking up three major decisions, one
tech-fall and one fall. The junior cruised through the first day of
competition with two major decisions before tech-falling Clairon's
Hadley Harrison in the second period, 17-1, to advance to the
semifinals. Fittery then returned to the mat on the second day with
a 15-5 major decision over fifth-seeded Keegan Davis from Oregon
State to earn himself a place in the finals. In the finals, Fittery
made quick work of second-seeded Jake Patacsil from the Boiler
Elite Wrestling Club to earn his first Midlands Championship by
fall 2:52 into the first period.
At the tournament's conclusion, Fittery was named the Champion
of Champions, an honor voted on by all 10 Midlands Champions.
Fittery is the first wrestler in American history to be named
Champion of Champions and the third to capture a Midlands
Championship. He was also the only EIWA wrestler to win an
individual championship at this year's tournament.
Fittery was also named the EIWA Wrestler of the Week and
TheMat.com Wrestler of Week for his performance at the
Midlands.
The American University wrestling team will return to action on
Friday, January 8, with its first home dual of the season against
Navy at 7:00 p.m.
