CLARION, PA: Clarion University’s NCAA Division I Wrestling team rallied from an 18-11 deficit to win an 18-18 criteria decision over Bloomsburg at Waldo S. Tippin Gym on Friday night.

With both teams having the same number of wins by technical fall and major decisions, the next highest criteria, near fall points scored, become the determining factor as Clarion outscored the Huskies 8-7 in that category and won by near fall criteria.

With Clarion trailing 18-11, Eagle 197-pounder Eric Mausser, ranked #7 in the nation, decisioned Bloom’s Andy Ludlow 7-0 to pull the Eagles to within 18-14. The win upped Mausser’s season record to 22-3.

Clarion heavyweight John Testa then posted a 15-6 major decision over the Huskies Tony Milone to tie the team score at 18-18. Late in the second period Testa used a bar arm to turn Milone over with about 20 seconds left and earned three near fall points and led the bout at that time 12-2. The whistle blew signaling a fall by the official, but the pin came moments after the period came to and end and the Huskies still had life. The near fall points however put the Eagles ahead in near fall criteria 8-7 and Clarion coach Ken Nellis instructed Testa from there that a major decision was all the Eagles needed to gain their seventh victory of the season. Testa, ranked 8^th in the nation at heavyweight, raised his season record to 26-2.

"We knew exactly what we needed going into John’s (Testa’s) match," said Clarion coach Ken Nellis. "When he got the back points, we just wanted John to maintain the major decision and he did exactly what he had to do. Erie and John have been in this situation before and they continue to come through in the clutch. They know how to get the job done," added Nellis.

After Bloomsburg’s Brock Hite posted a 2-0 decision over Peter Derstine, the Golden Eagles posted three straight victories to gain an 11-3 team lead. At 133 Clarion’s Rad Martinez notched a technical fall at 6:31 over Justin Haupt.

Moving to 141 the Eagles Frank Edgar decisioned Mark Permattei 9-4, and teammate Jim Perry notched a 4-0 decision over Brad Forbes.

Bloomsburg rallied with four straight wins to take an 18-11 lead. George Carter postedd a major decision over Jeremy Reitz 10-2, then Ryan Garner won a 5-4 overtime, tie breaker decision over Clarion’s Chris Horning at 165.

The Huskies continued with Hunter Guenot notching a 19-3 technical fall at 6:53 over David Gardner at 174. The run finished with Chad Hoare gaining a 9-5 decision over Clarion’s Eric Spence at 184, setting up Clarion’s dramatic finish.

The Golden Eagles raised their record to 7-2 overall and are 1-0 in the Eastern Wrestling League. Bloomsburg drops to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the EWL.

Clarion hosts Rider University on Saturday at 1pm.