Feb. 5, 2010

(Johnstown, Pa.) Clarion won 5 of 10 bouts and led 15-12 after 184-pounds, but #4 ranked NCAA D-II Pitt-Johnstown rallied to win the final two bouts and defeat Clarion 18-15 in collegiate wrestling.

Clarion's record now drops to 5-7 overall, while UPJ raised its record to 11-2.

Clarion's Clint Podish won a 4-2 decision over Patrick Walsh at 184-pounds to put the Golden Eagles in front 15-12. Podish used a takedown with 5 seconds remaining in the third period to notch his win.

At 197 UPJ's A.J. Brentzel won a 5-4 decision over Alex Thomas that tied the team score at 15-15. Thomas hit a reversal late in the third to close within 5-4, but it wasn't enough.

With the match on the line at heavyweight, Chris Dempsey scored a second period takedown on Quintas McCorkle and made it stand with a 3-1 win, which gave the Mountain Cats an 18-15 team victory.

Clarion started strong with four wins in the first five bouts. Freshman Joe Waltko hit a headlock for a four point move late in the third period to notch a 6-5 win over Ryan Link at 125.

Greg Lewis used two takedowns to help him to a 7-3 win over Adam Whetstone at 141, and #18 rated James Fleming was in total control in his 6-0 win over Ryan McIntyre at 149. Fleming had a reversal and three-point near fall in the second to get his 22nd win of the year (22-5).

Captain Hadley Harrison had two takedowns in defeating Zach Lundgren 6-3 at 157 and Clarion led 12-6.

UPJ had Kyle Keane decision Justin McCrillis 10-6 at 165 and Steve Makin decisioned Steven Cressley 7-4 at 174 to bring the teams back to a 12-12 tie, setting up the final three weights.

Clarion will wrestle at Pitt next Thursday at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse at 7pm.

125- Joe Waltko (CL) dec. Ryan Link (PJ) 6-5

133- Shane Valko (PJ) wbf Jay Ivanco (CL) 1:05

141- Greg Lewis (CL) dec. Adam Whetstone (PJ) 7-3

149- James Fleming (CL) dec. Ryan McIntyre (PJ) 6-0

157- Hadley Harrison (CL) dec. Zach Lundgren (PJ) 6-3

165- Kyle Keane (PJ) dec. Justin McCrillis (CL) 10-6

174- Steve Makin (PJ) dec. Steven Cressley (CL) 7-4

184- Clint Podish (CL) dec. Patrick Walsh (PJ) 4-2

197- A.J. Brentzel (PJ) dec. Alex Thomas (CL) 5-4

HWT- Chris Dempsey (PJ) dec. Quintas McCorkle 3-1

Clarion: 5-7

Pitt-Johnstown: 11-2

CLARION NOTES: Hadley Harrison has 92 career wins and is currently 22nd on the all-time Clarion win list ... Randy Miller (96-26-2; 78-81) is next up for Harrison.