(Clarion, Pa.): The Golden Eagles received wins tonight from Anthony White, #6 ranked James Fleming and Alex Thomas, but #22 ranked Pitt won seven bouts and defeated Clarion 32-9 in NCAA Division I Wrestling.
Held at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium, Clarion dropped to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in the EWL while Pitt raised its overall record to 11-6 and 4-0 in the EWL.
Clarion got off to a very fast start at 149 when freshman Anthony White won a 7-3 overtime decision against Dane Johnson. White was leading 3-2 in the third when Johnson was awarded a penalty point for an illegal scissors with only 25 seconds left. In overtime White pick up a double leg takedown and put Johnson to his back for a 4-point move and a 7-3 win. White is now 21-9.
Fleming, ranked 6th in the latest AWN poll at 157-pounds, decisioned Donnie Tasser 8-1. Fleming had a first period takedown and a three point near fall to lead 5-0. A third period reversal and riding time gave the Eagle sophomore an 8-1 win and Clarion a 6-0 lead. He is currently 25-2 on the season.
Clarion's Bekzod Abdurakhmonov lost a tough 3-2 decision to Ethan Headlee at 165. Abdurakhmonov scored a go ahead takedown (2-1) with 22-seconds left in the third, but Headlee reversed with about 10 seconds left to go back in front 3-2. Bekzod hit a quick counter and was near a winning reversals as time ran out.
Senior Scott Joseph also lost a tough 3-2 decision at 174-pounds. Joseph was honored in pre-match ceremonies as a 4-year starter at Clarion on Senior Night. He was tied 1-1 in the third when Karl DeCiantis scored a takedown with 32-seconds remaining to get the win.
Clarion's final win came at 197-pounds when Alex Thomas decisioned Phil Sorrentino 1-0. Thomas chose the top position in the second period and rode Sorrentino the entire periodic – which proved to be the winning point. Thomas is now 16-9 on the season.
Clarion heavyweight Quintas McCorkle was pinned by #4 ranked Ryan Tomei at 5:24, and Tom Gowing wrestled a close match at 125 before losing to #18 ranked Anthony Zanetta 10-7. Zanetta was ahead 9-2 in the second when Gowing reversed Zanetta to his back for a 5-point move and nearly pinned the Panther but time ran out in the period. Zanetta rode Gowing out in the third.
Clarion travels to Cleveland State on Saturday for a 7pm match.
149- Anthony White (CL) dec. Dane Johnson (P) 7-3 ot
157- #6 James Fleming (CL) dec. Dane Tasser (P) 8-1
165- Ethan Headlee (P) dec. Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (CL) 3-2
174- Karl DeCiants (P) dec. Scott Joseph (CL) 3-2
184- #19 Max thomusseit (P) wbf Joshua Sadler (CL) 1:32
197- Alex Thomas (CL) dec. Phil Sorrentino (P) 1-0
285- #4 Ryan Tomei (P) wbf Quintas McCorkle (CL) 5:24
125- #18 Anthony Zanetta (P) dec. Tom Gowing (CL) 10-7
133- Shelton Mack (P) t. fall Trey Hicks (CL) 17-2; 3:27
141- #7 Tyler Nauman (P) wbf Hunter McGraw (CL) 4:13
Clarion: 3-9; 1-3 EWL
Pitt: 11-6; 4-0 EWL
