Clarion’s NCAA Division I wrestling team will host the University at Buffalo on Saturday (Jan.11th) at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium in dual meet action. The match is set to begin at 7pm and will feature pre-match ceremonies honoring 197-pounder Eric Mausser (Sharon) and heavyweight John Testa (Newark, De.).

Both Mausser and Testa posted their 100^th career win earlier this season at the Penn State Open and will be honored for their accomplishments prior to the match with Buffalo.

"One hundred (100) career wins is a big milestone," reflected Eagle head coach Ken Nellis. "They have been outstanding wrestlers and leaders on our team during their careers and we wanted to recognize their accomplishment in front of our home crowd."

Testa was the first across the 100 win barrier at the PSU Open when he pinned B.J. Pruitt (Apprentice) at 3:29. He was the 16^th wrestler at Clarion to break the 100 win plateau. He went on to win the PSU Open and currently is ranked 9^th in the nation at heavyweight. He has a season record of 24-2 and now sports a career record of 115-26, and his 115 wins ranks 10^th in Clarion history.

Mausser broke the 100 win column with a 3-2 win over Nick Thomas (Penn) in the quarterfinals at the PSU Open. Mausser is currently ranked 7^th in the nation at 197-pounds and already has a season record of 20-4. Eric’s career record is 108-40 and ranks 16^th in Clarion wrestling history.

Clarion enters Saturday’s dual meet with a 5-2 record. The Eagles were 2-1 at the Clarion duals defeating Drexel (24-12) and Findlay (32-13), while losing to Kent State (22-12). At the Ohio State duals last Saturday Clarion was 3-1 in beating Eastern Illinois (28-9), Duke (34-11) and Tennessee-Chattanooga (26-14), while losing to Indiana (26-12). Coach Nellis, currently in his sixth season leading the Eagles, has a career dual meet mark of 36-45-2.

The Eagles will be led by Testa and Mausser, along with tri-captain Rad Martinez at 133-pounds. Martinez is ranked 10^th and has a record of 24-4. Also in Clarion’s lineup will be Peter Derstine (17-6) at 125, Frank Edgar (17-7) at 141, Jim Perry (11-12) at 149, Jeremy Reitz (20-7) at 157, Chris Horning (14-8) at 165, Dave Gardner (12-12) at 174 and Charlie Cilinski (0-12) at 184.

Buffalo, led by eighth year head coach Jim Beichner, comes to Clarion with a 6-1 record. The Bulls defeated Lock Haven (23-20) and Binghamton (34-7) to start the year, then also went 3-1 at the Buckeye Duals at Ohio State. UB defeated Tennessee-Chattanooga (38-9), Eastern Illinois (41-3) and Drexel (25-10), and lost to Indiana (19-16). On Thursday night Buffalo decked American University 44-3. Beichner’s record is 73-40-2.

The Bulls have a balanced lineup from top to bottom. Top wrestlers are Dave Edwards (13-3) at 149, Labe Black (18-8) at 157, Gary Cooper (20-4) at 174, Garrett Bontempo (20-5) at 184 and Kyle Cerminara (24-8) at 197. Also in the lineup will be Mike Sabaaly (14-6) at 125, Mike Trotta (18-10) at 133, Adam Grillo (4-13) at 141, and Tom Curl (13-11) at heavyweight.

CLARION NOTES: Clarion won 26-15 at Buffalo last year and holds a 6-4 career lead on the Bulls... Testa is one career win behind Kurt Angle who posted a 116-10-2 record at Clarion and won 2 NCAA Titles, plus went on to win Gold at the 1996 Olympic Games... Buffalo coach Jim Beicher and Clarion’s Nellis anchored Clarion’s 17-0-1 season in 1986 and a final #3 ranking in D-I Wrestling... Beichner was a 2-time All-American at Clarion and won 4 PSAC and 2 EWL titles... Clarion will host Bloomsburg next Friday at 7:30 and Rider on Saturday at 1pm.