CLARION, Pa. --- The Golden Eagles wrestling team determined their dual lineup and put on a show for the fans in the Blue Gold Wrestle-Offs on Thursday, with Blue topping Gold by a score of 27-20 in Tippin Gymnasium.
The annual wrestle-offs in the Tippin Gym mark the first scene of action for Golden Eagles wrestling fans and give them a look at those who earned a starting position in the dual lineup to start the season. The highlight tonight came at 149 pounds, with Connor Eck and Matthew Smith requiring two matches on Thursday night to secure the spot. Smith won the first match in sudden victory off a low single leg shot, switching off to the double for the finish and a three-point takedown to win a 4-1decision. In the rubber match Eck took the lead after a scoreless first period with an escape and then increased his lead later in the second period, stuffing  Smith's takedown attempt and scoring his own takedown to take a 4-0. Eck would hang on to win the match with a 7-2 decision.
At 157 pounds Wes Barnes finished a low single takedown in the 2nd period and rode out Cody Hamilton in the 3rd period to take a 5-1 victory and secure his spot in the lineup. Adrian Gacek put up a scoring fiesta on his feet by securing six takedowns against Deegan Ross on his way to a major decision at 184 pounds by a score of 21-9. Joey Fischer took down Colton Wade at 133 pounds by way of major decision, securing three takedowns and a reversal winning by a score of 12-3. Scott Johnson secured the major decision over Jake Martinec 11-2 at 141 pounds. Alejandro Herrera-Rondon secured a first-period tech-fall victory over Sawyer Ayotte at 165 pounds. At 285 pounds John Meyers won by way of a 9-3 decision over Lucas Thomas.
Blue 27, Gold 20
Exhibition: Aiden Beimel (Blue) def. Dylan Kadish (Gold) MD 9-0
149: Matthew Smith (Blue) def. Connor Eck (Gold) Dec. 4-1 SV-1
157: Wes Barnes (Blue) def. Cody Hamilton (Gold) Dec. 5-1
174: John Alteri (Gold) def. Patrick Cutchember (Gold) Dec. 7-2
EX: Oliver Fairchild (Blue) def. Michael Kersey (Gold) MD 11-1
184: Adrian Gacek (Gold) def. Deegan Ross (Blue) MD 21-9
133: Joey Fischer (Gold) def. Colton Wade (Blue) MD 12-3
EX: Jaden Wehler (Gold) def. Talan Hubbard (Blue) MD 11-3
141: Scott Johnson (Blue) def. Jack Martinec (Gold) MD 11-2
165: Alejandro Herrera-Rodon (Blue) def. Sawyer Ayotte (Gold) TF 15-0 2:41
EX: Gabe Lilly (Gold) def. Coy Bryson (Blue) Dec. 5-0
285: John Meyers (Gold) def. Lucas Thomas (Blue) Dec. 9-3
149: Connor Eck (Gold) def. Matthew Smith (Blue) Dec. 7-2
