December 19, 2007
(CLARION, PA.): Clarion fought to a 9-6 lead after five weights, but Kent State battled back to win the final five bouts and defeat the Golden Eagles 24-9 on Wednesday night in an NCAA Division I wrestling match.
The crowd of about 750 at W. S. Tippin Gym were treated to an outstanding dual meet that had the first seven matches decided in the third period, with six going down to the final seconds.
The match started at 141 with Clarion's Sal Lascari losing 6-5 to #13 ranked Drew Lashaway. Lascari scored a third period takedown to take a 4-3 lead, and Lashaway escaped to tie 4-4. Lashaway's takedown with 13-seconds left put him ahead 6-4 and Lascari escaped but lost 6-5.
At 149 the Eagles Hadley Harrison led twice but lost 9-6 in the final seconds against Clint Sponseller. Harrison's takedown with 40-seconds left gave him a 6-4 lead, but Sponseller reversed to tie the match 6-6. Harrison got caught in a roll and with 8-seconds left and Sponseller scored his winning three-point near fall.
Clarion then caught fire and won three straight bouts to take a 9-6 team lead. First Travis Uncapher decisioned Pat Lanham 8-2 at 157, then David Cox decisioned Sli Bostelman 4-0 at 165 and Mario Morelli won an exciting 3-2 decision over Chris Estep at 174.
Uncapher used a reversal, a second and third period takedowns for his winning combination at 157.
Cox, meanwhile, had a first period takedown, a second period escape and 2:11 riding time for his 4-0 win at 165.
Morelli brought down the house winning 3-2 at 174. Morelli was ahead 1-0 in the third when Estep reversed to take a 2-1 lead. Morelli reversed back with 25-seconds left and rode Estep outthe rest of the way to win 3-2.
Kent's Eric Chine broke a 1-1 tied in the third with a takedown and scored a 3-2 win over Scott Joseph at 184, and teammate Mike Blackwell went overtime tie breaker in defeating Clarion's Jamie Luckett 3-1 at 197.
Kent State's Jermail Porter decisioned Roman Husam 8-2 at heavyweight, while Nick Bedelyon pinned Clarion's Jay Ivanco at 4:13 at 125. Ivanco was winning 3-2 with riding time in the second at the time of the fall.
The match ended with Dan Mitcheff, ranked 12th, decisioning Rob LaBrake 6-1.
"I thought we really fought hard tonight against a very good team," said Clarion head coach Teague Moore. "Kent is a good team, and we went down to the wire with them on about every match. If we keep our heads up and keep on working hard, good things will happen."
Clarion is off until January 2nd when the Golden Eagles will host Buffalo and Delaware State at Tippin Gym. Dual time is 1pm.
KENT STATE 24 CLARION 9
141- Drew Lashaway (K) dec. Sal Lascari (CL) 5-4
149- Clint Sponseller (K) dec. Hadley Harrison (CL) 9-6
157- Travis Uncapher (CL) dec. Pat Lanham (K) 8-2
165- David Cox (CL) dec. Sli Bostelman (K) 4-0
174- Mario Morelli (CL) dec. Chris Estep (K) 3-2
184- Eric Chine (K) dec. Scott Joseph (CL) 3-2
197- Mike Blackwell (dec) Jamie Luckett (CL) 3-1 tb
285- Jermail Porter (K) dec. Roman Husam (CL)
125- Nick Bedelyon (K) pinned Jay Ivanco (CL) 4:13
133- Dan Mitcheff (K) dec. Rob LaBrake (CL) 6-1
CLARION: 3-7
KENT STATE: 4-1
