(Clarion, Pa.): James Fleming returned to the Clarion University lineup and won a major decision at 157, but that's all the points the Golden Eagles could muster as West Virginia defeated Clarion 39-4 in NCAA Division I Wrestling on Saturday night.

 

            Held at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium, Clarion's record dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the EWL, while West Virginia went to 5-4 overall and 2-0 in the EWL.

 

            Fleming, ranked 8^th in the nation at 157-pounds, won his bout against Ryan Goodman 13-2. After a scoreless first period, Fleming chose the top position and posted two, three-point near falls to lead 6-0. Goodman had a takedown in the third, but after escaping, Fleming took Goodman down to his back and notched a riding time point for a 12-3 major decision.

 

            Clarion lost several close matches including bouts at 165, 174, 197 and heavyweight.

 

            Clarion's Bekzod Abdurakhmonov was tied with WVU verteran Donnie Jones late in the third period but had 1:09 on the riding time clock. Jones scored a takedown with seven seconds left to win 6-5.

 

            The Eagles Scott Joseph lost a 2-1 decision to Alex Meade at 174 in the first tie breaker. Tied 1-1 after regulation and the one minute overtime, Joseph chose down but could not escape. Meade chose down, escaped and thwarted several takedown attempts as time ran out.

 

            Clarion's Alex Thomas lost a hard-fought 9-7 match to Kyle Rooney. Rooney led 6-5 entering the third period, recersed to go ahead 8-5, then Thomas reversed back to close the gap to 8-7. Rooney escaped to make it 9-7 (Thomas had 59-seconds on the riding clock), but Thomas rallied and was close to a takedown as time ran out.

 

            Quintas McCorkle lost his bout to Philip Mandzik 4-3 again in the tie breaker period at 285-pounds. McCorkle escaped in the tie breaker to go ahead 2-1, and Mandzik escaped to tie 2-2 in his period. But Mandzik posted a takedown with about 15-seconds left, McCorkle escaped and Mandzik ended with a 4-3 win.

 

            Clarion returns to action on Sunday when the Golden Eagles host Eastern Michigan at 2pm at Tippin Gymnasium.

 

 

125- Shane Young (WV) wbf Tom Gowing 9CL) 2:39

133- Nathan Pennesi (WV) dec. Devin Cook (CL) 7-0

141- Mike Morales (WV) wbf Cameron Moran (CL) 1:41

149- Brandon Rader (WV) wbf Anthony White (CL) 6:23

157- James Fleming (CL) maj. Ryan Goodman (WV) 13-2

165- Donnie Jones (WV) dec. Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (CL) 6-5

174- Alex Meade (WV) dec. Scott Joseph (CL) 2-1 tb-1

184- Matt Ryan (WV) wbf Steven Cressley (CL) 1:50

197- Kyle Rooney (WV) dec. Alex Thomas (CL) 9-7

285- Philip Mandzik (WV) dec. Quintas McCorkle (CL) 4-3 tb-1

Clarion: 3-3; 1-1 EWL

WVU: 5-4; 2-0 EWL