(MORGANTOWN, WV): Clarion jumped out to a 12-4 lead and led 15-10 after seven weight classes, but 17^th ranked West Virginia rallied for the final three wins and posted a 25-15 win over the Golden Eagles in an EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) dual meet.

West Virginia raised its record to 4-4 overall and 2-0 in te EWL, while Clarion dipped to 2-6 overall and 0-3 in the EWL.

Clarion won three of the first four bouts to jump to a 12-4 lead. Peter Derstine notched a 7-1 decision over Casey Brewster at 125 to get the Eagles rolling. Derstine used a five-point, first period move to secure his win and up his record to 24-7.

WVU’s #17 ranked Seth Lisa posted a 12-3 major decision over Doug Surra at 133, but Frank Edgar came back with an injury default win at 141 to give Clarion a 9-4 lead. Edgar, who raised his record to 25-4, defeated #10 ranked Joe Clarke. Edgar was behind 2-0, when he posted an escape and two takedowns for a 5-3 lead. Clarke, who had injured his ankle earlier, signaled for the trainer and the Mountaineer defaulted the match.

Clarion upped its lead to 12-4 when freshman T.J. McCance used a big third period to gain a 12-6 win over Mike Torriero. McCance tied the bout midway through the second period 6-6 with a takedown, then had two, three-point near falls in the third to get the win.

At 157 WVU’s #8 ranked Matt Lebe edged Clarion’s Chris Horning 6-3 with key takedowns in the first and second period. Horning’s record now stands at 15-6.

Moving to 165 WVU’s Zac Fryling posted a takedown with two seconds left in the second period to for a 2-1 lead and eventually won 3-1 over Jeremy Reitz.

With Clarion clinging to a 12-10 lead, the Eagles Aaron Wrighht stepped up to win a 6-4 decision over Doug Studenic. Tied 2-2 in the second, Wright used an escape and takedown for a 5-2 lead. A late reversal by Studenic (3 seconds left), with Wright looking for back points, still gave Wright a 6-4 win with 4:39 in riding time.

Clarion led 15-10 entering 184, but West Virginia won the final three bouts. With heavyweight Matt Wilcox still out with a foot injury, the Eagles used 174-pounder Marcus Surin at 184 and he was technical falled by #1 rated Greg Jones 19-4 at 7:00 to tie the team score at 15-15.

Regular 184-pounder Kyle Cathcart moved up to 197 and he was majored by Matt Daddino 12-3, then Charlie Cilinski, moving up to heavyweight from 197, lost by fall to Lanfer Simpson at 56-seconds and the Mountaineers earned a hard-fought 25-15 victory.

Clarion will next be in action at the PSAC Tournament at Edinboro starting Friday January 30^th through Saturday January 31^st. Friday’s first bouts begin at 5pm at McComb Field House. Tickets will be available at the door.

125- Peter Derstine (C) dec.Casey Brewster (WV) 7-1

133- Seth Lisa (WV) maj. dec. Doug Surra (WV) 12-3

141- Frank Edgar (C) inj. Def. Joe Clarke (WV) 1:42

149- T.J. McCance (C) dec.Mike Torriero (WV) 12-6

157- Matt Lebe (WV) dec. Chris Horning (C) 6-3

165- Zac Fryling (WV) dec. Jeremy Reitz (C) 3-1

174- Aaron Wright (C) dec. Doug Studenic (WV) 6-4

184- Greg Jones (WV) t. fall Marcus Surin (C) 19-4; 7:00

197- Matt Daddino (WV) maj. dec. Kyle Cathcart (C) 12-3

HWT- Lanfer Simpson (WV) pinned Charlie Cilinski (C) 0:56

Final Score: West Virginia 25 Clarion 15

Ref: Bruce Haselrig

Clarion: 2-6; 0-3 (EWL)

WVU 4-4; 2-0 (EWL)