Clarion to Host #7 Oklahoma State Saturday

SmithJ13 icsCLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The 2014 Clarion University Wrestling team will be welcoming the #7 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium.

Pictured: Oklahoma State Coach John Smith

Tickets will be available at the door with General Admission set at $7 and “Youth Day” tickets (18 and under) are set for only $1. Groups are welcome.

A number of promotions are also in motion for Saturday. The event is a “Blue Out” – with everyone attending asked to wear Blue. 500 rally towels will be given away to Clarion students as they enter the Gymnasium, and Pepsi is sponsoring three, $300 gift card giveaways during the match. Students living “on-campus” are eligible to win.

Before OSU comes to town, Clarion travels to West Virginia on Friday to square off against the Mountaineers. Match time at the WVU Coliseum is set for an approximate start of 6:30pm for what WVU is calling – Beauty and the Beast Night, a combined event with Women’s Gymnastics.

The Clarion – Oklahoma State match can be heard live on the radio on WCCR-FM, 92.7 in Clarion and on redzone with Rich Herman and John Stroup will be calling the action. The Friday match at WVU will air on WCCR-AM (1300) and redzone.

Clarion, under second year head coach Troy Letters, enters the weekend with a dual meet with a 9-12 overall record and 3-3 in the EWL record. The extremely young Golden Eagles, who have six freshmen in their lineup, opened the season with a 2-2 mark at the Eastern Michigan duals having defeated Campbellsville (34-3) and Tiffin (43-6), while losing to Northern Illinois (21-15) and EMU 26-15. The home dual season opened on Nov. 22nd with a 30-12 loss to Rutgers, then at the Journeyman Northeast Duals Clarion lost a 21-13 decision to #11 Virginia and rebounded for wins against Columbia (20-16) and Buffalo (34-7). On December 7th Clarion was fourth at the PSAC Championships, while on December 15 Clarion lost the EWL opener to Edinboro (40-3) and on Dec. 21 lost to #25 Rider (21-16). On Jan. 12 Clarion as 1-3 at the Pitt duals, defeating Davidson 31-15 and losing to North Carolina State (30-6), Duke (28-9) and North Carolina (32-4), while on Jan. 18 Clarion defeated Brown (24-16) and lost to Bucknell (24-18). Two weeks ago Clarion toppled Lock Haven (18-12) and George Mason (23-12), but lost to Bloomsburg 28-8. Last weekend Clarion traveled to #26 Ohio University and lost 21-16 before defeating Cleveland State 30-16 at Tippin Gym on Senior Day.

Clarion’s lineup will have Hunter Jones (7-5, Fr. New Rochelle, N.Y.) at 125, Sam Sherlock (18-11; Jr. West Mifflin) at 133, Tyler Bedelyon (11-15; Sr. Lewistown) at 141, Justin Arthur (24-8; Fr. Huntington, W.V.) at 149; Austin Matthews (19-5; Fr. Greenville/Reynolds) at 157; Michael Pavasko (12-17; Fr. Munhall/Steel Valley) at 165; Ryan Darch (14-17; Jr. Batavia, N.Y.) at 174; Dustin Conti (7-16; Fr. Jefferson/Jefferson Morgan) at 184, Daniel Sutherland (4-12; Jr. North Bellmore, N.y.) or Brandon Contreras (6-13; Sr. Rochester, N.Y.) at 197 and Evan Daley (16-12; Fr. Erie/Fort LeBoeuf) at 285.

#7 ranked Oklahoma State, is led into Clarion by 23rd year head coach and former NCAA and Olympic star John Smith. Smith has compiled an amazing collegiate coaching record of 356-52-6, while leading the Cowboys to NCAA D-I titles in 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. OSU was 2nd at nationals last season. Smith also was a 2-time NCAA Champion as a wrestler at OSU with a record of 154-7-2, won Olympic Gold medals for the USA in 1988 and 1992, and was a six time World Champion.

OSU comes to Clarion riding a four match win streak with a record of 8-4. Wins have come against Bucknell (40-6), Northern Colorado (48-0), Wyoming (30-6), West Virginia (30-6), Iowa State (29-3), Missouri (28-6), Cal-Bekersfield (36-7 and Oklahoma (29-9). Losses have come against Oklahoma (16-15), Minnesota (16-15), Iowa (24-6) and Pitt (19-18).

Oklahoma State has 8 ranked wrestlers and will feature a lineup that includes #12 Eddie Klimara (14-6) at 125, #4 Jon Morrison (19-1) at 133, #19 Anthony Collica (23-6) at 141, #9 Josh Kindig (15-7) at 149, #2 Alex Dieringer (22-1) at 157, #5 Tyler Caldwell (19-2) at 165, #2 Chris Perry (20-1) at 174, Nolan Boyd (26-9), Jordan Rogers (18-10) or Kyle Crutchmer (19-5) at 184 and 197 and #16 Austin Marsden (17-6) at 285.

Clarion travels to West Virginia on Friday night to take on the Mountaineers, coached by former Clarion alum and wrestler Craig Turnbull, who is in his 35th season at WVU. Turnbull has a notched 286 career wins. The Mountaineers are 10-5 this season with key wins coming against Drexel (25-8), VMI (38-3), I ndiana (22-21), and Lock Haven (18-12). Losses have come against Virginia (41-6), Iowa State (22-12), Oklahoma State (30-6), Pitt (33-6) and Oklahoma (19-15).

WVU’s lineup will include Cory Stainbrook (21-12) at 125, Nate Pennesi (15-8) at 133, Colin Johnston (25-5) at 141, Mike Morales (16-5) at 149, Brutus Scheffel (13-9) at 157, Ross Renzi (19-13) at 165, Bubba Scheffel (26-7) at 174, Mac Mancuso (19-10) at 184, Leo Trindade (14-12) at 197 and A.J. Vizcarrondo (18-14) at 285.

CLARION NOTES: Clarion has a 1-4 series record against Oklahoma State …. The last meeting saw OSU defeat Clarion 42-6 in the 2010 season … in 2009 Oklahoma State won 44-0 in 2009, and 38-6 in 2008 … Clarion went 17-0-1 in the 1986 season – and the Golden Eagles started the season with a 20-19 win at Tippin Gym over Oklahoma State …. Members of the 1986 have been welcomed back for Saturday and will be introduced, along with former head coach Bob Bubb, in pre-match ceremonies… In 1987 Oklahoma state won 36-9 in the other matchup between the two… Clarion is 14-20-2 against West Virginia … 14-18-2 in the EWL, and 0-2 in matches outside the EWL.. West Virginia moved into the Big 12 last year and defeated Clarion at Tippin 18-15 … WVU has won 3 straight against Clarion … the last Eagle win was in 2010 by a score of 20-14.


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