(CLARION, PA): #17 ranked Central Michigan won the final five matches and rallied to defeat Clarion 23-14 in an NCAA Division I Wrestling match at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.

Clarion also honored seniors Rad Martinez (133), Jim Perry (149), Eric Mausser (197) and John Testa (Hwt) in pre-match ceremonies in the final home dual meet of their careers.

Clarion dropped to 8-7 overall, while Central Michigan raised its overall record to 12-3.

With the match starting at 184-pounds, CMU’s Russ Vanderheyden pinned Eric Spence at 3:47 to give the Chippewas a 6-0 lead.

Clarion rallied with four impressive wins to take a 14-6 lead starting at 197-pounds where Eric Mausser decisioned Brett Faustman 4-0. Mausser used a first period takedown, a second period escape and riding time to raise his season record to 30-5 and also post his 118^th career win against only 41 losses.

Clarion’s 9^th ranked heavyweight John Testa scored a 13-5 major decision over Bill Stouffer. Testa registered five takedowns to notch his 35^th win of the season against only 2 losses. Testa has a career record of 126-26 and is tied for third on the all-time Clarion win list with Mark Angle.

Clarion 125-pounder Peter Derstine posted a 5-1 decision over Kyle Stoffer to give the Golden Eagles a 10-6 advantage, setting the table for Rad Martinez.

Martinez won his bout at 133 with a 15-5 major decision over Jason Borrelli. Martinez used seven takedowns and riding time to pace his win giving Clarion a 14-6 team lead after five weight classes. Rad raised his season record to 33-6 and now has a career record of 90-23.

Central Michigan came back and won the final five matches to earn its 12^th win of the season. At 141 Jason Mester decisioned Frank Edgar 5-2, while teammate Ty Morgan major decisioned Jim Perry 12-2.

The Chippewas won two close matches that sealed the team win with a 3-2 decision by David Bolyar over Jeremy Reitz at 157, then Brad Anderson won a 7-5 matchup against Chris Horning at 165.

At 157 Reitz went ahead late in the third period with a reversal to lead 2-1, but Balyard rolled right out of the reversal with an escape to tie the match at 2-2. His escape left 1:01 on the time advanatge clock an he used that point for the victory.

At 165 Horning led Anderson 5-4 with a takedown with only 50 seconds left in the bout. Anderson escaped with 35 seconds left and scored his wining takedown with only 20 seconds remaining.

CMU’s Mitch Hancock closed the scoring with a 10-2 major decision over David Gardner.

Clarion closes the dual meet season with two road matches. The Eagles travel to Lock Haven on Friday, Feb. 21^st for a 7:30pm match, then close out the year visiting Virginia Tech on Sunday February 23^rd at 1:00pm.