CLARION WRESTLERS SWEEP DUQUESNE/AIC

            ((Pittsburgh, Pa.): Clarion first year head coach Teague Moore saw his Golden Eagles sweep the Duquesne University duals on Sunday, besting American International 36-6, and the homestanding Dukes 21-18.

            The victory moves Clarion to a 3-2 dual meet record heading into the Clarion University Duals on Sunday, December 17 at Tippin Gym.

            Clarion opened its noon match with a strong 36-6 win over American International. The Golden Eagles won 8 of 10 bouts, including pins from freshmen Scott Joseph (Export/Kiski) at 174 and Dixon Jordan (Cheverly, Md.) at 197, plus a technical fall by freshman Hadley Harrison (McKean/General McLane)  at 149 and a major decision from heavyweight A.J. Brooks (So. Lewes, De.).

            In the finale Clarion opened up a 17-9 lead, fell behind 18-17, then saw heavyweight A.J. Brooks bring home a 21-18 team with an 11-0 major decision over Duquesne’s Joe D’Orsie.

            With Clarion trailing 6-3 early in the Duquesne match, Greg Lewis (So. New Providence) decisioned Brad Cipriani 5-0 at 141, then freshman Harrison pinned Brandon Baldini at 2:56 to give the Eagles a 12-6 lead after 149.

            Wins by Dominic Ross (So. Sharon) at 165 and Scott Joseph at 174 put Clarion ahead 17-9 after 174. Duquesne rallied however with a pin at 184 and a decision at 197 for an 18-17 lead heading to heavyweight.

            That’s when A.J. Brook stepped to the mat and won a dominating 11-0 major decision to give the Golden Eagles a 21-18 team win.

            “I’m really happy for our guys, we really needed these two wins,” said Clarion’s coach Moore. “We are working so hard, I feel this shot of confidence for the wrestlers will provide validation that their hard work is paying off.”

            “In both matches I thought Greg Lewis and Hadley Harrison helped us turn the tide early in our favor, continued Moore. “I was especially impressed with Hadley’s performance – and Brooks at heavyweight, he was phenomenal today and wrestled like an All-American out there.”

            CLARION NOTES: Clarion will host 5 other teams for the Clarion Duals on Sunday, Dec. 17^th  including Kent State, Pitt-Johnstown, Lock Haven, East Stroudsburg and Drexel. Three matches will be wrestled at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Clarion will draw Drexel at 11am, East Stroudsburg at 1pm and Pitt-Johnstown at 3pm. Tickets will be available at the door… Freshman Patrick Feeley (Johnston, R.I.) at 125 and Ross at 165 were 2-0 on the day, along with Lewis, Harrison, Joseph and Brooks… Christopher was 1-0 at 157.

2006-07 DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY DUALS

DEC. 10, 2006

CLARION 36 AMERICAN INT. 6

WT WINNER TEAM SCORE

125 Patrick Feeley (CL) Forfeit 6-0

133 Jeff Haddad (AIC) dec. Tyler Leljedal (CL) 7-3

141 Greg Lewis (CL) dec. Sam Gauvine (AIC) 5-3

149 Hadley Harrison (CL) Tech. Fall Gonzalo Carozo (AIC) 6:22 (24-8)

157 Lucas Christopher (CL) maj. dec. John Mullinix (AIC) 18-7

165 Dominic Ross (CL) dec. Nick Laurino (AIC) 14-9

174 Scott Joseph (CL) pinned Martin Thompson (AIC) 6:30

184 Morgan Wanzler (AIC) dec. Nick Weaver (CL) 7-4

197 Dixon Jordan (CL) pinned Dan Puccini (AIC) 4:45

HWT A.J. Brooks (CL) maj. dec. James Bridges (AIC) 17-7

Match started at 125 pounds

FINAL SCORE Clarion 36, American International 6

CLARION 21 DUQUESNE 18

WT WINNER TEAM SCORE

125 Patrick Feeley (CL) dec. Jon Bittinger (DU) 10-4

133 Jayk Cobbs (DU) pinned Tyler Leljedal (CL) 4:06

141 Greg Lewis (CL) dec. Brad Cipriani (DU) 5-0

149 Hadley Harrison (CL) pinned Brandon Baldini (DU) 2:56

157 Cody Midlam (DU) dec. Nick Billups (CL) 8-2

165 Dominic Ross (CL) dec. Ryan Sula (DU) 9-6

174 Scott Joseph (CL) dec. Scott Black (DU) 3-2 *

184 Jared Ricotta (DU) pinned Nick Weaver (CL) 1:02

197 Tim Frank (DU) dec. Dixon Jordan  (CL) 4-3

HWT A.J. Brooks (CL) maj. dec. Joe D’Orsie (DU) 11-0

Match started at 125 pounds

FINAL SCORE Clarion 21, Duquesne 18

* One team point deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Duquesne 29 American International 15

WT WINNER TEAM SCORE

125 Jon Bittinger DU, Forfeit 6-0

133 Jeff Haddad AIC  Inj. Def. Brad Ciprian (DU)  (1:08)

141 Sam Gauvine AIC dec. Jayk Cobbs (DU) 9-5

149 Brandon Baldini (DU) pinned Gonzalo Carozo (AIC)  0:28

157 Cody Midlam (DU) maj. dec. John Mullinix (AIC) 17-3

165 Ryan Sula (DU) maj. dec. Nick Laurino (AIC) 17-5

174 Scott Black (DU) dec. Martin Thompson (AIC) 4-0

184 Jared Ricotta (DU) dec. Luis Gomez (AIC) 5-1

197 Mike Bianco (DU) dec. Dan Puccini (AIC) 7-4

HWT Kelvin Valencia (AIC) Forfeit 29-15

Duquesne 29, American International 15