Clarion University’s NCAA Division I wrestling team gets back in action this weekend as the Golden Eagles travel to East Lansing, Michigan Saturday to battle #18 Michigan State, then move on to Mount Pleasant, Michigan Sunday for the Central Michigan Duals.

The Michigan State match starts at 7:30pm Saturday, while the Eagles wrestle three times on Sunday at Central Michigan including a Noon matchup against Findlay, a 2pm match versus The Citadel and a 4pm bout against #23 Central Michigan.

The Michigan State match will air live on WCCR-FM in Clarion, while the Findlay bout on Sunday will be broadcast on WWCH-AM in Clarion. Both matches can also be heard on the internet live or archived at

Clarion, under fifth year head coach Ken Nellis, enters this weekend with a deceiving 0-5 dual meet record. Clarion’s losses have come against some of the top teams in the nation including #8 West Virginia (23-12), #17 Penn State (26-9), #7 Ohio State (45-0), Ohio University (28-13) and Kent State (21-13).

Clarion’s lineup will feature four ranked wrestlers including #7 Rad Martinez (13-2) at 133, #19 Dominic Surra (7-5) at 149, #17 Eric Mausser (16-4) at 197 and #10 John Testa (14-5) at heavyweight. Newcomers to the lineup this weekend include Jeremy Reitz (So. Brookville) at 157 and Todd Schuchert (Fr. Norwin) at 174, along with Peter Destine (So. Coral Gables, Fl.) at 125.

Reitz, who was 21-7 in the first half at Penn State last year, will give the Eagles a boost at 157. Schuchert, meanwhile was 6-2 last year before an injury cut his season short and is a red-shirt freshman. Derstine was a solid 15-15 last year at 125 as a true freshman for the Golden Eagles and placed 5^th at the PSAC’s. He was considering a red-shirt this year, but is back in the lineup.

Also expected to see action this weekend are Jared Moss (4-7) at 141, Jim Perry (4-9) at 157, Jamie Durkin (2-7) at 165 and Marcus Surin (1-9) at 184.

Michigan State, ranked 18^th in the latest NWCA and Intermat Polls, is led by 11^th year head coach Tom Minkel (93-82-2 record at MSU). The Spartans have a dual record of 1-1 this season having defeated Central Michigan 18-16, while losing to #4 Michigan 27-6. MSU has five ranked wrestlers including #17 Chris Williams (11-7) at 125, #9 Ryan L’Amoreaux (12-3) at 133, #8 Karl Nadolsky (13-3) at 149, #6 Gray Maynard (8-5) at 157 and #8 Nik Fekete (6-3) at 197. MSU was 6^th at Midlands last week and saw L’Amoreaux and Nadolsky place third, Maynard fourth and Williams eighth.

Findlay, coached by fourth year mentor Shawn Nelson, enters Sunday with a 2-2 dual meet record. The Roughnecks have lost matches to #11 Edinboro 32-14 and Ohio University 27-11, while defeating Princeton 22-16 and Eastern Michigan 21-14. Findlay’s top wrestlers include Waylon Lowe (18-4; 149), Lucas Mackesy (14-7; 165), James Tietema (16-6; 174), Matt Tyrrell (15-6; 184) and Brian Scislo (19-2; 197).

The Citadel is led by third year coach Rob Hjerling. The Bulldogs enter the duals with a 2-1 overall record including a 25-9 loss to Kent State and wins over Carson-Newman (31-9) and UNC-Pembroke (25-18).Top wrestlers include Sean Markey (133), Vince Bartges (141), Wayne Watts (149), Mike Regner (174), Jordan Everett.

Central Michigan is ranked #23 in the latest NWCA and Intermat Polls and is coached by 11^th year head coach Tom Borrelli. He has an overall record of 107-63-5 and led the Chippewas to a 7^th place NCAA Division I Tourney finish in 1999, led by former NCAA Champion and current assistant coach Casey Cunningham and former Clarion wrestler Chris Marshall. CMU was 14-5 last year and has started the 2001-2002 season with an 0-2 dual record losing 18-16 to Michigan State and 28-8 to #4 ranked Michigan. The Chippewas feature five ranked wrestlers including #20 Jordan Webster (133), #9 Jason Mestor (141), #20 Ty Morgan (149), #14 David Bolyard (157) and #20 Kevin Carr (165). Morgan and Carr missed the recent Midlands Tournaments with a knee injury but hope to be back for Sunday. Webster also has a knee injury and could be out for the season.

CLARION NOTES: Coach Nellis’ 5-year dual record stands at 25-37-2 ... The Eagles last wrestled Michigan State in the 96-97 season at the national duals and lost 26-13... Clarion also lost 21-15 to MSU in the 1993-94 season ... The Eagles are 1-0 against Findlay (25-15 in 1999-2000), while this will be the first match against the Citadel and Central Michigan... Clarion hosts #12 Lock Haven on Friday January 11^th at 7:30pm, then travels to Buffalo for a 1pm match on Saturday January 12^th... Clarion High School will square off against Redbank Valley High School on January 11^th at Tippin Gym. That match is scheduled to start at 6pm, and take place prior to the Clarion vs Lock Haven dual scheduled for 7:30pm. Tickets for both will be available at the door.