Jan. 17, 2010

(CLARION, PA.): Upset minded Clarion jumped out to a 13-3 lead on Sunday with wins from Jay Ivanco, Greg Lewis, James Fleming and Hadley Harrison, but the #21 ranked Fighting Scots battled back winning the final 5 bouts en route to a 25-13 win in NCAA Division I Wrestling.

Held at W.S. Tippin Gym, Clarion's record dropped to 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in the EWL, while Edinboro is now 5-4 overall and 1-0 in the EWL.

Clarion's Joe Waltko lost a close 3-0 decision to #8 Eric Morrill at 125, then the Golden Eagles won four straight bouts to take a 13-3 lead.

Jay Ivanco started the run with a 5-1 win over Ashton Osterberg at 133-pounds. Ivanco had two, first period takedowns and added 6:18 in riding time for his win.

Greg Lewis had a takedown in all three periods, plus riding time, to earn a 7-3 win over Joel Webster at 141, then James Fleming won 2-0 over Kory Bissett at 149 to give Clarion a 9-3 advantage. Fleming scored a reversal midway through the third period for his win.

Senior Hadley Harrison brought the partisan Eagle crowd to its feet in the first period with a takedown and cradle on John Greisheimer that nearly produced a fall. Leading 6-0 entering the third, Harrison added another takedown and cradle again came close to pin, but resulted in a 12-0 major decision at 157 and a Clarion 13-3 team lead.

Edinboro's Jarrod King, ranked #3 at 165 and the reigning NCAA Champion, scored a 17-4 major decision over Nick Milano, then Phil Moricone pinned Steven Cressley at 174 and the Scots tied the team score 13-13.

Edinboro's Pat Bradshaw jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, and Clarion's Clint Podish, nursing a hip injury, used most of his injury time to get through the opening period. Podish then rode Bradshaw the next four minutes, but could not turn the Scot and Bradshaw won 2-1.

The match was clinched at 197 when Edinboro's Shawn Fendone pinned the Eagles Alex Thomas at 2:36. Thomas had the opening takedown, Fedone reversed Thomas to his back and registered the fall.

Clarion's Phil Catrucco wrestled a solid match against #15 rated Chris Birchler, and even led after the first period 3-2, and 4-2 with an escape in the second, but Birchler posted a takedown in the second and third to win 8-4.

CLARION NOTES: Fendone's pin avenged an earlier loss to Thomas in the finals at PSAC's where Thomas won by fall ... Clarion will wrestle at WVU on Friday at 7:30pm, then wrestle Penn at North Allegheny High School on Saturday at 7pm

#21 EDINBORO TOPS CLARION 25-13

W.S. TIPPIN GYM - JAN. 17, 2010

125- #8 Eric Morrill (E) dec. Joe Waltko (CL) 3-0

133- Jay Ivanco (CL) dec Ashton Osterberg (E) 5-1

141- Greg Lewis (CL) dec Joel Webster (E) 7-3

149- James Fleming (CL) dec Kory Bissett (E) 2-0

157- #16 Hadley Harrison (CL) maj. dec. John Greisheimer (E)12-0

165- #3 Jarrod King (E) maj. dec. Nick Milano (CL) 17-4

174- Phil Moricone (E) wbf Steven Cressley (CL) 4:37

184- Pat Bradshaw (E) dec. Clint Podish (CL) 2-1

197- Shawn Fendone (E) wbf Alex Thomas (CL) 2:36

Hwt- #15 Chris Birchler (E) dec. Phil Catrucco (CL) 8-4

Clarion: 2-4; 0-1 EWL

Edinboro: 5-4; 1-0 EWL