FAIRFAX, Va. - The Clarion wrestling team earned a split in their first dual match action since Nov. 29, with the Golden Eagles falling 22-18 to George Mason in Eastern Wrestling League action in the early match before defeating Grand Canyon 26-13 in the nightcap.  Clarion is now 4-5 overall and 2-2 against EWL opponents.

Four Golden Eagles wrestlers went 2-0 in their matches on Sunday, with Brock Zacherl, Evan DeLong, Dominic Rigous and Dustin Conti each posting perfect days.  Conti clinched the team win against the Antelopes, earning a major decision at 197 over Austin Gaun, and put the Golden Eagles within striking distance of winning the match against the Patriots by claiming an injury default victory over Cameron Houston.

Zacherl's major decision over Grand Canyon's Uzo Owuama at 141 came at an important moment in that match, putting Clarion on the board after the Antelopes claimed wins at 125 and 133.  Jacob Keller and DeLong recorded identical 2-0 decisions at 157 and 165, respectively, to rally back from a 9-4 team deficit to a 10-9 advantage.  Rigous was the next to record a key decision, coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the second period to pin Austin Trujillo with one second before the break to put the Golden Eagles ahead 16-13 in the match.  Conti took care of business from there, taking the major decision to clinch the win, and Zack DeLuca closed out the afternoon with a win by fall over Sean Medley in the heavyweight match.

In the early match against George Mason, Patrick DeWitt claimed a 3-0 decision over Ibrahim Bunduka to start the match, and Zacherl put Clarion ahead 6-5 with a decision over Tejon Anthony.  The Patriots led 19-9 before Rigous' 8-2 decision over Luke Ludke cut into the lead, and Conti's win by injury default made it just 19-18. DeLuca just narrowly lost to Matt Voss, dropping a 6-5 decision as the Patriots won the team match.

George Mason 22, Clarion 18
125: Patrick DeWitt (CU) dec. over Ibrahim Bunduka (GMU) 3-0

133: Vince Rodriguez (GMU) tech dec. over Kyle Greenwald (CU) 24-9

141: Brock Zacherl (CU) dec. over Tejon Anthony (GMU) 10-6

149: Blake Roulo (GMU) dec. over Brodie Zacherl (CU) 8-7

157: Greg Flournoy (GMU) tech fall over Morgan Way (CU)

165: Evan DeLong (CU) dec. over Patrick Davis (GMU) 3-2

174: Ryan Forrest (GMU) wins over Michael Pavasko (CU) inj. def.

184: Dominic Rigous (CU) dec. over Luke Ludke (GMU) 8-2

197: Dustin Conti (CU) wins over Cameron Houston (GMU) inj. def.

285: Matt Voss (GMU) dec. over Zack DeLuca (CU) 6-5

Clarion 26, Grand Canyon 13
125: Trayton Libolt (GCU) dec. over Patrick DeWitt (CU) 10-8 (sv)

133: Juaquin Olivas (GCU) dec. over Kyle Greenwald (CU) 8-3

141: Brock Zacherl (CU) maj. dec. over Uzo Owuama (GCU) 10-2

149: Blake Monty (GCU) dec. over Brodie Zacherl (CU) 4-0

157: Jacob Keller (CU) dec. over Zackary Velasquez (GCU) 2-0

165: Evan DeLong (CU) dec. over Casey Larson (GCU) 2-0

174: Kenny Moore (GCU) maj. dec. over Morgan Way (CU) 10-2

184: Dominic Rigous (CU) fall over Austin Trujillo (GCU)

197: Dustin Conti (CU) maj. dec. over Austin Gaun (GCU) 14-3

285: Zack DeLuca (CU) fall over Sean Medley (GCU)