CLARION, Pa. – Competing with a depleted lineup against a nationally-ranked opponent, the Clarion wrestling team battled but ultimately fell to 24^th-ranked Pittsburgh 39-3 at Marwick-Boyd Auditorium on Friday.  The Golden Eagles (2-3) will have a quick turnaround as they head on the road to face Buffalo on Saturday.
 
It was tough sledding for Clarion as the Golden Eagles faced a tough test in the Panthers, who took nine of the 10 individual bouts to take the team win.  The Golden Eagles gave a strong effort in trying to keep pace, forcing several close decisions and showing flashes of brilliance at times.
 
Evan Delong posted the lone victory against the Panthers, defeating Jake Wentzel in the 165-pound bout.  Things were close early on before Delong began hammering Wentzel on his feet, taking him down twice in quick succession in the second period and imposing his will.  Delong added another late takedown to build up the advantage and take the riding time point for the 7-4 decision.
 
Gavin Park nearly got a win of his own in the opening bout of the night, falling in sudden victory to Brendon Fenton.  Park got a late takedown to take a 4-3 lead, but Fenton held the riding time advantage to tie the bout after regulation.  Fenton finished with a takedown for the win.  Avery Shay pushed nationally-ranked Taleb Rahmani in the 157-pound bout, tying the score at four before Rahmani tacked on a takedown and a near fall for the win.  Taylor Cahill also wrestled a close match, pushing Gregg Harvey before falling by 6-3 decision.
           
125 - Brendon Fenton (Pittsburgh) over Gavin Park (Clarion) (SV-1 7-4)
133 - Micky Phillipi (Pittsburgh) over Seth Koleno (Clarion) (TF 20-5 6:40)
141 - Lorenzo Bentley (Pittsburgh) over Andrew Gapas (Clarion) (Fall 2:44)
149 - Robert Lee (Pittsburgh) over Jalin Hankerson (Clarion) (Fall 2:40)
157 - Taleb Rahmani (Pittsburgh) over Avery Shay (Clarion) (Dec 9-4)
165 - Evan Delong (Clarion) over Jake Wentzel (Pittsburgh) (Dec 7-4)
174 - Gregg Harvey (Pittsburgh) over Taylor Cahill (Clarion) (Dec 6-3)
184 - Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) over Tyler Bagoly (Clarion) (MD 13-4)
197 - Kellan Stout (Pittsburgh) over Shae Bloom (Clarion) (Dec 5-0)
285 - Demetrius Thomas (Pittsburgh) over Toby Cahill (Clarion) (Fall 6:18)