Clarion University’s NCAA Division I Wrestling team gets back into action on Saturday, January 10^th, as the Golden Eagles visit Buffalo in a dual meet contest.

Match time is set for 7pm at Alumni Arena. The match can also be heard on WCCR-FM (92.7) and on the internet at

Clarion enters the match with a 2-1 dual meet record under seventh year head coach Ken Nellis. The Golden Eagles opened their dual meet season on December 14^th with wins over Pitt-Johnstown 16-15 and Drexel 29-13 and a loss to #14 ranked Ohio State (25-18). Nellis has a seven year dual meet record of 42-52-2.

On December 18^th the Eagles traveled to Reno, Nevada and competed in the Reno Tournament of Champions. Clarion notched 5 placewinners with Peter Derstine (125) and Frank Edgar (141) placing third, Chris Horning (157) and Aaron Wright (174) placing fourth and Jeremy Reitz (165) was sixth.

Buffalo, led by ninth year head coach Jim Beichner, has jumped out to a fast start this season with a 9-2 dual meet record. The "Bulls" won their first seven duals over Findlay (22-12), Bloomsburg (21-13), Kent State (21-13), Mount Union (39-6), James Madison (41-3), East Stroudsburg (33-9) and Sacred Heart (25-10). At the Buckeye Duals (Ohio State) on January 3^rd Buffalo lost to Lehigh (32-6), defeated Eastern Illinois (25-14) and lost to Indiana (27-8). Beichner has a career dual meet record of 85-47-2 at Buffalo.

Clarion will feature a lineup of Peter Derstine (Sr. 21-5; Coral Springs, Fl.) at 125, Doug Surra (Fr. 8-7; Kersey, Pa.) at 133, Frank Edgar (Jr. 21-3; Toms River, N.J.) at 141, T.J. McCance (Fr. 7-5; Butler) at 149, Chris Horning (So. 11-5; Syracuse, N.Y.) at 157, Jeremy Reitz (Sr. 18-7; Brookville) at 167, Aaron Wright (Jr. 12-6; Coudersport) or Marcus Surin (So. 2-2; Spring Valley, N.Y.) at 174, Kyle Cathcart (Fr. 8-7; Clarion) at 184, Charlie Cilinski (So. 2-6; Gainesville,Va.) at 197 and Matt Wilcox (Fr. 4-8; Guys Mills, Pa.) at heavyeight.

Buffalo will likely counter with Mark McKnight (Fr. 24-6; McDonald, Pa.) at 125, Cliff Smith (Jr. 20-8; Merrick, N.Y.) at 133, Mike Trotta (Sr. 21-12; Oceanside, N.Y.) at 141, Patrick Lloyd (Fr. 16-13; Middletown, N.Y.) at 149, Casey Burchfield (So. 2-13; Holley, N.Y.) at 157, Nick Rausenberger (Jr. 13-8; Newburgh, N.Y.) at 167, Ed Pawlak (Sr. 26-5; Lakewood, N.Y.) at 174, Garrett Hicks (So. 16-13; Chautauqua, N.Y.) at 184, Kyle Cerminara (Jr. 24-3; Lewiston, N.Y.) at 197 and Greg Thomas (Jr. 12-15; Baldwin, N.Y.) at heavyweight.

Cerminara is ranked 13^th in the nation and Pawlak 18^th, while Clarion has no ranked wrestlers.

CLARION NOTES: Clarion leads the series between the two schools 7-4... Last year’s meeting at Clarion saw the Eagles defeat Buffalo 20-17 ... Derstine and Edgar were winners for Clarion... Clarion also won a 26-15 decision at Buffalo in 2001... Buffalo coach Jim Beicher and Clarion’s coach Nellis anchored Clarion’s great 17-0-1 season in 1986 and a final #3 ranking in D-I Wrestling under then head coach Bob Bubb ... Beichner was a 2-time All-American at Clarion and won 4 PSAC and 2 EWL titles... Clarion visits Bloomsburg next Friday (J-16) and Rider (Jan.17th) before returning home to host Edinboro on January 24th.