CLARION, Pa. --- John Worthing returned to the lineup with a stunning reversal into a win by fall, highlighting the Golden Eagles' match against 17^th-ranked Rutgers on Friday night. The Scarlet Knights won the dual by a 38-6 score, though the Golden Eagles fought a tough battle throughout the dual lineup.
 
The apex of the night was undoubtedly Worthing's win over Eric Freeman  in the 174-pound bout, with the 2023 NCAA qualifier recording his third win by fall of the season. Freeman had the early advantage on Worthing, taking him down in the first period and applying a tough ride. With 40 seconds remaining in the first period Freeman tried to roll Worthing to his back, but Worthing slipped him and pounced, turning the tables and getting the reversal. It took no more than a few more seconds from that point as Worthing locked up Freeman's left arm and pinned him to the mat for the win by fall.
 
That was the only match won by the Golden Eagles on Friday, but it was hardly the only moment where Clarion showed their grit. Kyle Schickel nearly erased a huge deficit in the 149-pound bout, coming within a few seconds of earning his own win by fall over Alex Nini. Nini tilted Schickel early in the second period to take an 11-0 lead, but Schickel was not ready to concede defeat. He rolled through from the bottom position for a reversal and put Nini in a headlock for four near-fall points, turning what had been a 12-0 deficit into a 12-8 margin. A quick takedown to start the third period made it 13-11, but Nini held Schickel off in the waning moments for a 14-12 win.
 
Other matches were competitive as well. Scott Johnson lost a 15-7 major decision against 2024 All-American Dylan Shawver, but the final score didn't tell the tale of the match as Johnson pushed Shawver through the first six minutes. John Altieri showed well against Conner Harer at 157 pounds, pushing him before losing in a 5-0 decision, while Austin Chapman gave up just a second period takedown to John O'Donnell before losing the 285-pound bout.
 
Rutgers 38, Clarion 6
125 - Dean Peterson (Rutgers) over Travis Clawson (Clarion) (TF 19-4 0:00)
133 - Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) over Scott Johnson (Clarion) (MD 15-7)
141 - Joseph Oliveri (Rutgers) over Gianni Silvestri (Clarion) (TF 20-3 5:49)
149 - Alex Nini (Rutgers) over Kyle Schickel (Clarion) (Dec 14-12)
157 - Conner Harer (Rutgers) over John Altieri (Clarion) (Dec 5-0)
165 - Anthony White (Rutgers) over Wesley Barnes (Clarion) (MD 17-3)
174 - John Worthing (Clarion) over Eric Freeman (Rutgers) (Fall 2:39)
184 - Shane Cartagena-Walsh (Rutgers) over Patrick Cutchember (Clarion) (TF 19-4 7:00)
197 - John Poznanski (Rutgers) over Ethan Wiant (Clarion) (Fall 1:35)
285 - John O`Donnell (Rutgers) over Austin Chapman (Clarion) (Dec 5-0)