CLARION, PA: Clarion University’s NCAA Division I Wrestling team raised its overall record to 8-2 when the Golden Eagles defeated Rider on Saturday afternoon 21-15 at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium.

Trailing 15-13 entering the final two matches, Clarion 197-pounder Eric Mausser (Sharon) and heavyweight John Testa (Newark, De.) both won major decisions to give the Golden Eagles their fourth straight dual meet win.

Mausser, ranked #7 in the nation at 197, posted a 9-0 major decision over Greg Sawyer to put the Eagles in the lead for good 17-15. Mausser’s takedown and three-point near fall at the end of the second period paved the way for his 23^rd win of the season against only three losses. He has a career record of 111-39.

Testa, ranked #8 at heavyweight, registered seven takedowns on his way to a 16-5 major decision over Carmello Marrero which clinched the Eagle win. Testa ups his season record to 27-2 and his career record at Clarion to 118-26, ninth on the all-time win list. He is only three wins behind former NCAA Champ Bill Simpson (1970-74).

"I thought the win was a real team effort up and down the lineup," said Clarion’s sixth year head coach Ken Nellis. "We got five good wins today and enough bonus points to carry the day. I thought Jim Perry’s gutsy win at 149 may have been the turning point in the match. Overall I thought we wrestled hard in every bout and that is what we’re looking for heading into the PSAC’s and EWL’s."

The match got underway at 125-pounds where Rider’s Bobby Stinson decisioned Peter Derstine 8-3. Clarion came right back with a forfeit win by Rad Martinez at 133 giving the #10 ranked 133 pounder a 27-4 season record and the Eagles a 6-3 lead.

Clarion won the next two bouts including a 13-4 major decision by Frank Edgar over Jason Smith at 141 and Jim Perry gaining a 2-0 overtime decision over Joe Pollard. Perry posted his takedown with 20-seconds left in overtime and gave Clarion a 13-3 team lead.

Rider posted four consecutive wins starting at 157 when #8 ranked Derek Jenkins edged Jeremy Reitz 1-0 on a second period escape. Next, at 165, #19 ranked Nick Harrington posted a 5-0 win over Clarion’s Chris Horning.

Bob Pizzuto kept the win streak going for Rider at 174 by edging David Gardner 4-2, and Mike Robinson notched a 6-0 decision over Eric Spence to give Rider a 15-13 advantage heading to Mausser’s win at 197.

The Golden Eagles up their record to 8-2, while Rider drops to 3-6 on the season. Clarion will travel to compete in the PSAC Championships on Friday Jan. 24^th and Saturday January 25^th at Millersville.