Clarion wrestles its first home dual of the 2025-2026 season Friday (Jan. 16), taking on fellow MAC member Buffalo. Wrestling is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Clarion at a Glance
Clarion (0-3 overall, 0-2 in the MAC) is looking to jump start its season with a win in front of the home fans. The squad's most recent duals were December 21 when it lost on the road to Rider and Columbia in a tri-meet.

The Golden Eagles last competed two weeks ago at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Jan. 2-3).

At The Scuffle, Travis Clawson (125 pounds) went 3-2, advancing to the "blood round." Wes Barnes (157 pounds) also posted a 3-2 record in Chattanooga, while Gabe Lilly (174 pounds) went 2-2.

Five Golden Eagles carry winning records into the match with Buffalo – 165-pounder Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (12-5), Clawson (12-5), Barnes (11-5), 133-pounder Joey Fischer (11-6), and 141-pounder Scott Johnson (7-5).

Buffalo at a Glance
Buffalo (2-8 overall, 1-2 in the MAC) is coming off a loss a week ago at Binghamton (Jan. 8). The Bulls are 1-3 on the road.

Kaleb Burgess (157 pounds) is ranked #29 by Flowrestling and #25 by Intermat. He has a 9-2 record.

Other potential Buffalo starters with winning records include 165-pounder Kelin Laffey (13-8), 174-pounder Rafael Knapp (15-11), and 285-pounder Magnus Bibla (5-4).

Clarion vs. Buffalo
Clarion and Buffalo first scrapped in January 1972, the Golden Eagles beating the Bulls, 23-14. In the teams' 21 meetings since, Clarion holds a slight edge, 11-10. The Golden Eagles are 7-1 against the Bulls at home and 3-2 in conference duals.

Clarion hasn't wrestled Buffalo since February 2024, the Bulls taking an 18-16 home victory. Fischer, then a 125-pounder, won a decision in that dual, beating his possible Friday opponent, Elton Max, 7-1.

The last time the two teams had at it in Clarion (Dec. 2021), the Golden Eagles were victorious, 21-19. Fischer earned a major decision at 125 pounds in the contest.

This Friday's dual could be highlighted by a bout between Clarion's Ethan Wiant and former Golden Eagle Connor Jacobs at 197 pounds. The pair have previously met in tournament competition, Wiant going 2-0.

Adrian Gacek (184) lost to Buffalo starter Marcus Petite earlier this season at the Clarion Open (Nov. 2), 2-1. Gacek is 0-2 overall against Petite. Heavyweight John Meyers beat the Bulls' Bibla, 4-1, during the season's first weekend, also at the Clarion Open.