The Clarion University Wrestling team, a traditional NCAA Division I powerhouse, is ready to roll out the mats on a new season on Sunday, December 14^th when the Golden Eagles will host the Clarion Duals at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium.

Clarion will square off against Pitt-Johnstown in the opening round at 1pm, then face Ohio State at 3pm and Drexel at 5pm. There will be three mats running at the same time for the 1pm, 3pm and 5pm matches. Also participating this year will be Lock Haven and Kent State and tickets will be available at the door.

The Pitt-Johnstown dual on Sunday, as well as the remainder of the dual meet schedule will be on either WCCR-FM or WWCH-AM in Clarion and on Red Zone media on the internet. Rich Herman and former coach Bob Bubb will provide the play by play and color commentary throughout the season.

Head coach Ken Nellis begins his seventh season directing the program having posted a six-year dual meet record of 40-51-2. Last year the Golden Eagles posted a 9-8 dual meet record while placing 4^th at PSAC’s, 6^th at EWL’s and 26^th at the NCAA Division I Nationals in Kansas City, Missouri.

The 2002 Eagles were 6-11 overall, third at PSAC’s, sixth at the EWL Tournament and 41^st at the nationals, while the 2001 the Eagles were 11-3 overall and finished the EWL regular season in third place with a 5-2 league mark. Nellis’ Eagles went on to place 4^th at the PSAC’s, 4^th at the EWL’s and 42^nd at the NCAA Division I Nationals at Iowa.

"We’re looking forward to the 2004 season," said Clarion’s coach Nellis. "I think we’ll have a very balanced dual meet team with depth at a few weights. The team is working very hard and I’ve been pleased with their progress in the pre-season. Our fans will see an aggressive, hard nosed lineup that has the ability to score some points. We need to stay away from key injuries and I think we’ll be just fine."

Three veterans are expected to lead the team on and off the mat during the season including seniors Peter Derstine (125-lbs; Coral Springs, Florida) and Jeremy Reitz (165-lbs.; Brookville) and junior Frank Edgar (141-lbs.; Toms River, N.J.).

Derstine, who narrowly missed going to nationals last year, had his best season in 2003 notching a 23-11 overall record while placing 4^th at EWL’s and being named as the second alternate wild card to nationals. He has a career record of 55-39.

Reitz is moving up to 165-pounds from his traditional 157-pound weight class the previous two years. Last year Jeremy posted a 27-17 season record having placed second at PSAC’s and 6^th at EWL’s at 157. In 2002, also at 157, Jeremy qualified for the D-I Nationals and went 1-2 at nationals. He was 19-14 overall, placed third at PSAC’s and fourth at EWL’s. He has a two-year career record at Clarion of 46-31.

Edgar, a two-year NCAA Division I Qualifier at 141-pounds, is poised to have his best season. Last year Frank was 26-18 overall and 5^th at EWL’s and PSAC’s, while in 2001 he posted an 18-19 record, placed 4^th at EWL’s and PSAC’s, earned a wild card selection to nationals and was 1-2 before being eliminated. He has a career record of 42-35.

"We know Frank, Jeremy and Peter will provide quality leadership this season," said coach Nellis.

The Golden Eagles are also facing the first season in four years without the outstanding trio of heavyweight John Testa, 197-pounder Eric Mausser and 133-pounder Rad Martinez. All three finished their outstanding wrestling careers last Spring and had a combined season record last year of 121-24 and a career record of 357-101.

Testa finished his career with an 8^th place All-America finish at nationals. He was 43-5 as a senior and saw himself win his fourth individual PSAC and third EWL titles and finish with a career record of 134-29, ranking him third at Clarion in career wins.

Mausser was 37-9 last year and finished his career with a record of 125-46. He narrowly missed All-America status his junior and senior seasons, was a 4-time NCAA qualifier and an EWL and PSAC champion in 2002.

Martinez was 41-10 last year and placed 5^th at nationals at 133-pounds earning All-America honors. Currently a student coach, Martinez had a three-year record at Clarion of 98-27.

"They were outstanding wrestlers and gave a lot to Clarion wrestling," said Nellis.

The 2004 Golden Eagles have 24 wrestlers on the official roster including two seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores and 10 freshmen.

Here’s a look at the 2004 Eagles by weight class:

125: Senor Peter Derstine (Coral Springs, Florida) is ready for his senior year. 23-11 last year, he finished a strong fourth at EWL’s was the second alternate wild card, narrowly missing an NCAA appearance. In 2002 he was 17-13 overall and placed 3^rd at PSAC’s. Also 15-15 at 125 as a freshman in 2000, Peter placed 5^th at PSAC’s and 6^th at EWL’s. He has a three-year record of 55-39. Backing him up will be junior Matt Doerfler (Manchester, N.H.) Who was 2-5 in limited action last year and 5-6 in 2002. Also available but likely to red-shirt is freshman Mike Goslicky (Finleyville - Thomas Jefferson HS). Mike placed 6^th at 112-lbs at PIAA’s last year and was 36-5 overall. He also placed 7^th at PIAA’s as a junior.

133: With All-American Rad Martinez graduated, freshman Doug Surra (Kersey - St. Marys HS) has emerged as the starter at 133. Doug, a true freshman, has impressed the coaches in the pre-season. He placed 5^th at PIAA’s last year at 135-pounds with a 37-2 record. He also placed 5^th as a junior at states and is the brother of former Golden Eagle wrestler Dom Surra. Ready to back him up is sophomore Louis Russo (East Hampton, N.Y.; Longwood HS) who saw limited action last year. Russo posted a career high school mark of 153-24 and has impressed the coaches in the pre-season.

141: 2003 & 2001 NCAA Qualifier Frank Edgar (Jr. Toms River, N.J.) returns after posting a 26-18 record last season. He was 5^th at EWL’s and PSAC’s last year, but expects to improve those places in 2004. Edgar red-shirted 2002, while posting an 18-19 record as a freshman in 2001. He placed fourth at PSAC’s and EWL’s and was 1-2 at nationals. He has a career record of 42-35. Providing depth will be Brian Jones (Fr. Philipsburg - Philipsburg-Osceola HS) and Joe McKeever (Fr. Marbury, Md. - Lackey HS). Jones had an undefeated regular season last year at 119-pounds before injuring his shoulder going into the post-season (29-1 season record). McKeever was second at the Maryland State tournament at 125-pounds last year and placed 5^th at states as a junior.

149: Red-shirt freshman T.J. McCance (Butler) is expected to start for the Eagles at 149. McCance hails from Butler where he was a PIAA Qualifier and two-time section champion with a career record of 103-20. Also battling for time is Nathan Geesaman (Fr. Waynesboro), who wsa fourth at Regionals last year at 125-pounds with a 27-7 record. He has a career high school record of 98-31.

157: Sophomore Chris Horning (So. Syracuse, N.Y. - Baldwinsville), who wrestled at 165-pounds last year, is moving up to 157 in 2004. Last year Chris was a solid 16-19 overall and finished third at PSAC’s. Horning was a three-time New York placewinner including second as a senior and sophomore and third as a junior. He set a team record with 169 wins in high school. Chris is looking for a big season in the middle of Clarion’s lineup. He will be backed up by veteran Stephen Stremple (Pgh. - Plum). Stremple was 2-4 in limited action last year and 4-9 at 149-pounds in 2002 and competed at PSAC’s at 149. Freshman Taylor Letters (Pgh. - Shaler) will red-shirt the season. Last year he was third at PIAA’s at 152-pounds (41-4 record) and was 2^nd at Stats in 2001. He posted over 100 pins in his high school career and will be an impact wrestler in 2004-05.

165: Senior Jeremy Reitz (Brookville) moves up to 165-pounds from 157 where he wrestled the last two seasons. Reitz was a strong 27-17 last year, placed second at PSAC’s and sixth at EWL’s. In 2002 he was 19-14 overall, placed third at PSAC’s and fourth at EWL’s. He has a two-year career record at Clarion of 46-31. Reitz-From nearby Brookville, was a PIAA champ in 1999, attended Penn State and was 21-7 in 2001 before transferring to Clarion. Backing him up will be junior Jamie Durkin (Lawrence, MA - Central Catholic) who was 4-4 last year and who was a started in 2002 with a 4-14 overall record. Durkin was a two-time Massachusetts State Champion and attended Northfield Mount Hermon Prep School in 2001. He had a wrestling record of 211-28 in five years.

174: Junior transfer Aaron Wright (Coudersport) has emerged as the starter at 174. Wright transferred to Clarion from Penn State where he was the starter at 165 in 2001 and wrestled in all 20 dual meets with a 4-16 record. He was 0-2 at the Big Ten Tournament and was 1-1 in duals the following season before transferring. At Coudersport High he was the 2000 PIAA runner-up at 145 pounds, a four-time state qualifier and two-time placer, finishing third in 1999. He posted a career record of 127-15, including a 35-2 mark his senior year and was a three-time District 6 champion and one-time regional champion. Sophomore Marcus Surin (Spring Valley, N.Y. - Ramapo) returns after sitting out the 2003 season with an injury. Surin was a started at 184 two years ago and was 3-27 overall, but came on at the season’s end and placed 6^th at EWL’s. He had a high school career record of 151-30 and was 4^th at N.Y. States at 160 as a senior. Sophomore Dave Gardner (N. Huntingdon - Norwin) will red-shirt the season. Last year David was 10-25 overall last year, placed 5^th at PSAC’s and gained valuable experience. Gardner placed fourth at PIAA’s in 2002 with a 38-5 overall record at 160-pounds. He posted a career record of 109-23 with 60 falls. Also seeking time this year is Chris Goings (Fr. Centerville, Va. - Westfield). A tw-time Virginia State runner-up, he was 48-1 last year and 124-27 during his career.

184: Clarion Area star Kyle Cathcart (Fr. Clarion) will anchor the 184-pound weight class this season. Cathcart was a two-time PIAA champ in 2000 and 2001 and runner-up his senior year (2002). Kyle won 109 straight bouts and posted an amazing career record of 134-4. He was 1-1 at PSU last year, suffered an injury, and came to Clarion in the Fall. Surin could move up here if necessary.

197: With Eric Mausser graduated, sophomores Garrett Hurd (Brookville) and Charlie Cilinski (Gainseville, Va. - Stonewall Jackson) are battling for time. Hurd was at Clarion but did not wrestle n the 2003 season. He transferred to Clarion from Corning Community College and was Region III Champion in 2002. At nearby Brookville high he was a PIAA Runner-up at 160 in 1999. Cilinski meanwhile was a starter at 184 last year and posted an 0-13 record. Cilinski was 6^th at Virginia States at 189-pounds and posted a 36-5 record last year. He won district and regional titles.

HWT: Four-time PSAC Champ and All-America heavyweight John Testa has graduated. Freshman Matt Wilcox (Guys Mills - Maplewood) will look to try and continue the heavyweight tradition. Wilcox was a PIAA State Champion in 2002 defeating Clarion Area’s Kyle Cathcart for the 189-pound title, then last year was 4^th at PIAA’s at 215-pounds. He also was a 189-pound PIAA runner-up as a junior losing to Cathcart. He had a career record of 124-24 with 72 pins. Also looking for time at heavyweight is J.R. Sutter (So. Punxsutawney), who sat out last season.

CLARION NOTES: In the tournaments thus far Jeremy Reitz won at East Stroudsburg and Frank Edgar won at Penn State... The duals that will be heard on the internet through Red Zone Media can be reached by going to the Clarion web site, go to athletics and click on the Red Zone link, or go straight to Clarion’s next dual action will be January 10^th at Buffalo... The next action after the duals wil be at the Reno Tournament December 18^th ... Coach Nellis, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Shaler High, was a 4-time NCAA Division I National Qualifier at Clarion (1982-84, 86), 3-time PSAC Champion, 4-time EWL runner-up and compiled a career record of 113-28-5 ... Nellis is 12th on the all-time win list at Clarion ... Nellis has a 6-year dual meet record of 40-51-2 years at Clarion and has coached 6 All-Americans... Nellis replaced Jack Davis as head coach...In 5 seasons Davis was 43-34-5 ... Clarion was 14th at the NCAA's in 1997, 12th in 96, and 15th in 1995 and 94... Legendary coach Robert "Bob" Bubb directed the Golden Eagles for 26-seasons and compiled a record of 322-121-4 and led Clarion to top 10 team finishes at the NCAA's in 1992 (8th), 1987 (6th), 1973 (4th) and 1972 (6th)...Since Clarion re-started wrestling in 1959-60, the Golden Eagles have an overall dual meet record of 466-218-11...Clarion has won 13 PSAC titles, 3 EWL crowns and placed in the top 20 at Division I Nationals 16 times...Individual wrestlers have won 103 PSAC titles, 48 EWL crowns, 8 Div.I National Champions and 42 All-Americans.