Mountaineers Down Clarion
CLARION, Pa. -- The 11th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (3-3, 2-0)
defeated Clarion (8-4, 1-2), 22-14, in an Eastern Wrestling League (EWL)
dual Sunday afternoon at Clarion.
The match started at 125 where Seth Lisa dominated Clarion's Matt
Doerfler. Lisa scored recorded three takedowns, five near fall points
and one reversal before turning Doerfler for the pin at 6:25.
At 133, No.10 Rad Martinez of Clarion handled WVU's Troy Forte by
scoring an 18-5 major decision to cut WVU's lead to 6-4. In the
following match, No.14 Shane Cunanan scored the only offensive points of
the match with two takedowns to wear down Clarion's Frank Edgar, 5-3.
Seventh-ranked Billy Smith (149) was on his way to a major decision
before Jim Perry scored a reversal as time expired to surrender only
three points for the Golden Eagles, making the West Virginia lead 12-4.
One of the day's most exciting matches was at 157 where WVU's Mike
Torriero and Clarion's Jeremy Reitz needed overtime to decide the
outcome. Reitz scored the first points with a takedown at 1:20 in the
first period. Reitz then rode Torriero for the remainder of the first
period to close the scoring at 2-0. Reitz then chose down to start the
second period, but Torriero rode him the entire period to keep the score
at 2-0. Torriero started the third down and scored a reversal to tie the
score at 2-2. Reitz escaped to go up 3-2, but not before Torriero
acquired over a minute of riding time. The score in regulation ended at
3-3.
In overtime, Reitz got a hold of a leg and Torriero held him off
initially, but Reitz managed to finish takedown for the dramatic 5-3
victory.
Riding the momentum, Clarion's Chris Horning scored the first takedown
on No.8 Tom McMath at 165. McMath recorded the escape and the only
takedown in the second to knot the score at 3-3. McMath started the
third period down and escaped to give him the momentum-halting 4-3 win.
"The crowd was juiced and Horning seemed to be a little juiced after
their big win at 157," assistant coach Zeke Jones said. "I don't think
Tom was ever really in trouble in that match, he just regained control
against a guy who is really unorthodox in his style."
Top-ranked Greg Jones (174) cruised to 19-7 major decision over David
Gardner and No.13 Ryan Wilman (184) had little trouble in his 5-0
victory over Eric Spence. Leading 22-7, the wins secured the dual
victory for the Mountaineers.
With the dual in hand, the Golden Eagles' No.10 Eric Mausser withstood
some pressure early and late from Adrian Thompson before winning 12-2.
Sixth-ranked John Testa of Clarion got all he could handle from No.13
Brent Miller before scoring a takedown with 10 seconds remaining in the
third to take the 6-4 victory.
Miller scored a takedown and Testa escaped twice to knot the score at
2-2 after the first two periods. After a Miller escape to start the
third, Testa recorded his first takedown of the match. Miller escaped
again to tie the score at 4-4 and the match seemed destined for
overtime, but Testa prevailed with his late takedown.
"We did a good job and we won some close matches," head coach Craig
Turnbull said. "Clarion was excited to wrestle us and gave us their best
shot."
"Out of all the EWL schools, Clarion might match up with us the best,"
Jones added. "They capitalized on some of their favorable matchups."
West Virginia will return to the mat on Friday, February 7, with a road
EWL match at Lock Haven at 7:30 p.m. The Mountaineers are then home on
Sunday, February 9, at 1:00 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum for another
conference matchup against Virginia Tech.
No.11 West Virginia 22, Clarion 14
125 - #17 Seth Lisa (WV) pinned Matt Doerfler (C), 6:25
133 - #10 Rad Martinez (C) maj. dec. Troy Forte (WV), 18-5
141 - #14 Shane Cunanan (WV) dec. Frank Edgar (C), 5-3
149 - #7 Billy Smith (WV) dec. Jim Perry (C), 12-5
157 - Jeremy Reitz (C) dec. Mike Torriero (WV), 5-3 (sv)
165 - #8 Tom McMath (WV) dec. Chris Horning (C), 4-3
174 - #1 Greg Jones (WV) maj. dec. Dave Gardner (C), 19-7
184 - #13 Ryan Wilman (WV) dec. Eric Spence (C), 5-0
197 - #10 Eric Mausser (C) maj. dec. Adrian Thompson (WV), 12-2
HWT - #6 John Testa dec. #13 Brent Miller, 6-4
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