GOLDEN EAGLE WRESTLERS 1-2 AT CLARION DUALS

            (CLARION, PA.): Clarion opened its home wrestling campaign today hosting the Clarion Duals, and posted a 1-2 record on the afternoon.

            Led by first year head coach Teague Moore, the Golden Eagles opened with a 26-12 win over East Stroudsburg, then dropped a tough 24-18 decision to Drexel and also lost the nightcap to Pitt-Johnstown by a 25-15 margin.

            In the opener Clarion won 5 of the first 6 bouts and took 7 of the 10 matches en route to its 26-12 victory.  Freshman Mario Morelli (DuBois), in his first action at 165 as an Eagle, posted a 14-5 major decision over Leif Ruschmeyer. Lucas Christopher (Peters Twp) also notched a major decision with a 12-4 win over Kyle Heselpoth. Toby Seger (Jr. Glenshaw- 125), Sal Lascari (So. Gray- 133), Greg Lewis (So. New Providence- 141), and A.J. Brooks (So. Hwt- Lewes, De.) all won decisions, while Dixon Jordan (Fr. Cheverly, Md.) won by forfeit at 197.

            In round 2 against Drexel, Clarion jumped out to an early 12-3 lead, but was unable to hold on as the Dragons rallied to win 24-18. Sal Lascari and Greg Lewis gave the Eagles a 6-3 lead, and freshman Hadley Harrison (Fr. McKean) pinned Kyle Bub at 149 as the Eagles led 12-3.

            After Drexel posted a tech fall at 157, sophomore Dom Ross (Sharon) won 3-2 over Billy Haydt at 165 and the Eagles still had a 15-8 lead.

            Drexel’s Nick Kozar and Justine Terhune posted falls to put the Dragons back in the lead after 184. Clarion heavyweight A.J. Brooks won a 5-2 decision over Matt Rosner to close out the match.

            Clarion jumped out to a 9-3 lead over UPJ in the nightcap before losing 25-15. After losing the opening bout, Lascari, Lewis and Harrison all posted decision wins.  Lewis’ 6-5 win over Shane Valko saw Lewis rally in the third for an exciting win. He reversed Valko with about a minute left, and rode Valko out to win by riding time.

            Morelli won his second bout of the day with a 3-2 victory over Kyle Keane. Morelli also had a third period reversal that tied the score and rode Keane out after the reversal to post the win by riding time.

            UPJ had pins at 174 and 184 to take a 21-12 lead after 184, then posted a major decision at 197 with Mike Fowler for their final points.

            Clarion heavyweight A.J. Brooks closed the day with a 6-1 decision over Chris Dempsey to make the final 25-15.

            “We showed some bright spots today and won some close matches in the final seconds that certainly give us reason to be excited,” said coach Moore. “We wrestled some great matches today and we want to use that to get ready for Reno on Wednesday… We also gave up some bonus points in the Drexel and UPJ matches that could have been the difference in winning and losing. We have to be smarter out there, but we’re headed in the right direction.”

            CLARION NOTES: Lascari, Lewis and Brooks were all 3-0 on the day, while Mario Morelli was 2-0, Toby Seger 1-0, Dom Ross 1-0, and Hadley Harrison 2-1… Morelli is the son of former Golden Eagle wrestler Pete Morelli … Clarion is 4-4 in dual meets this season … Clarion wrestles in the Reno Tourney on Dec. 20 and is off for the holiday… Next dual meet is at Buffalo on January 4^th .

CLARION 26 E. STROUDSBURG 12

125- Toby Seger (CL) dec. Matt Benedetti (ES) 11-4

133- Sal Lascari (CL) dec. Steve Gambino (ES) 10-6

141- Greg Lewis (CL) dec. Sean Carr (ES) 13-6

149- Scott Heckman (ES) dec. Hadley Harrison (CL) 6-4

157- Lucas Christopher (CL) maj. dec. Kyle Heselpoth (ES) 12-4

165- Mario Morelli (CL) maj. dec. Leif Ruschmeyer (ES) 14-5

174- Shane Mallory (ES) dec. Scott Joseph (CL) 3-1

184- Dave Williams (ES) forfeit

197- Dixon Jordan (CL) forfeit

HWT- A.J. Brooks (CL) dec. Matt Rosner (ES) 5-2

DREXEL 24 CLARION 18

125- Steve Mytych (D) dec. Patrick Feeley (CL) 9-2

133- Sal Lascari (CL) dec. Morgan Remillard (D) 10-4

141- Greg Lewis (CL) James Therrien (D) 7-4

149- Hadley Harrison (CL) pinned Kyle Bub (C) 1:24

157- Ryan Hluschak (D) t.fall Nick Billups (CL) 23-4; 4:43

165- Dom Ross (CL) dec. Billy Haydt (D) 3-2

174- Nick Kozar (D) pinned Scott Joseph (CL) 4:03

184- Justin Terhune (D) pinned Brian Thomason (CL) 6:16

197- Jon Oplinger (D) maj. dec. Dixon Jordan (CL) 17-7

Hwt- A.J. Brooks (CL) dec. Shane Meighan (D) 5-3

UPJ 25 CLARION 15

125- Derrek Bosso (PJ) dec. Patrick Feeley (CL) 6-4

133- Sal Lascari (CL) dec. Adam Whetstone (PJ) 3-2

141- Greg Lewis (CL) dec. Shane Valko (PJ) 6-5

149- Hadley Harrison (CL) dec. Brian Cook (PJ) 6-2

157- Joe Strittmatter (PJ) pinned Lucas Christopher (CL) 2:49

165- Mario Morelli (CL) dec. Kyle Keane (PJ) 3-2

174- Eli Garshnick (PJ) pinned Scott Joseph (CL) 2:56

184- Mike Corcetti (PJ) pinned Brian Thomason (CL) 2:33

197- Mike Fowler (PJ) maj. dec. Dixon Jordan (CL) 13-2

HWT- A.J. Brooks (CL) dec. Chris Dempsey (PJ) 6-1