PITTSBURGH -- In the last three weeks Tim Wittman has seen the humiliation and joy of being a wrestler. The humiliation came when he lost the 158-pound spot to redshirt freshman Josh Robbins just before Penn State's final home dual meet. Only an injury prevented Robbins from wrestling.

The joy came last weekend as Wittman (16-6) upset top-seeded Scott Hovan of Pitt 6-4 in overtime to win his second EWL title and was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler.

"It feels good," he said. "It means that I'm finally back on track."

The past two months had been hell for the two-time All-American. Wrestling in probably the toughest weight class in the nation, Wittman had seen hopes of a outstanding season dashed with a second-half slump. After starting the season 9-1, the Lions' tri-captain went 4-5 the rest of way, including losses to the top three people, Pat Smith, Tom Ryan and Matt Demaray, at 158.

Compounding matters was losing his spot to Robbins. Instead of sharpening up for the tournament, Wittman spent 10 days getting his spot back. Any concerns that Wittman might have a letdown were quickly erased. The senior scored a fall and a decision as he easily advanced to the finals.

A rematch with Hovan, who had defeated Wittman 8-2 earlier this season. While Hovan looked the stronger and faster of the two, intangibles came into play. Wittman simply wanted it more. For example, in the first period, Wittman got caught in the air with his legs wrapped around Hovan's neck. If Hovan brings him to the mat, he has a possible pinning combination. Instead, Wittman stayed extended and Hovan didn't score.

After this series, Wittman began to impose his will on Hovan, who won at this weight last year. He wrestled an outstanding defensive match and in the overtime it paid off. After he stopped a double-leg attempt, Wittman, with catlike quickness slipped behind Hovan and dropped him to the mat.

"I tell you what, I've really been working hard and it was like, 'Yes, I did it, it's paying off'," he said shortly after winning the match.

Lorenzo said that contrary to popular opinion, the wrestleoffs didn't take the edge off of Wittman.

"It was just fantastic for Tim after he had to battle Josh all last week," he said. "I think it put an edge on him where he came in real focused and primed for his encounter with Hovan. Sometimes things that are perceived as negatives turn out to be positive."

For Wittman's teammates, who had watched him struggled the last two months, the outstanding wrestler award was a fitting conclusion.

"I knew he was gonna win," Prescott said. "He beat a good kid who beat him before. He was confident, knew what he wanted to do and he did it. He deserved it more than anybody here."

The 158-pounder now can become the Lions' ninth three-time All-American. He realizes, however, that another slump is out of the question.

"I think he's back," Wittman said. "He better be because it's gonna take the old Tim Wittman to win nationals."

Wittman has made a career of defying the odds doing everything from making the team as a walk-on to being a two-time All-American. Winning nationals would be icing on the cake.