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March 19, 2009
(ST. LOUIS, MO.): Hopes of an NCAA Division I Wrestling medal were dashed on Thursday for Clarion University's 125-pounder Jay Ivanco (So. Monroeville/Gateway) and 157-pounder Hadley Harrison (Jr. McKean/General McLane) as both went 0-2 at the Nationals and were eliminated from the tournament. The 79th Annual NCAA Division I Wrestling Tournament is being held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri and will continue through Saturday night when 10 individual champions and a team champion will be crowned. Ivanco, unseeded, who qualified for nationals via a second place finish at EWL's two weeks ago, opened his NCAA Tournament against #11 seed Zachary Sanders of Minnesota. Ivanco lost the match 13-6, but wrestled very tough for two periods. Sanders had a first period takedown and Ivanco a second period escape with the score only 2-1 entering the third. But Sanders posted 5, third period takedowns to win by a 13-6 margin. In the wrestle backs, Ivanco lost to Penn State's Brad Pataky 12-2. Pataky had a takedown and a three point near fall early in the first, and led 7-1 at the end of the first and never looked back. Ivanco had a very successful sophomore season posting an overall record of 19-14, winning PSAC's, placing 6th at Midlands and second at EWL's. He has a career mark of 46-27 after two seasons at 125-pounds. Harrison had a very tough draw in the tournament getting #1 seed Jordan Burroughs of Nebraska in the first round. Burroughs defeated Harrison 23-7, with Harrison re-injuring his knee in the first period. (He was injured at EWL's). In the wrestle backs Harrison went against Oklahoma's Chad Terry and again wrestled very tough, but lost to Terry 3-0. The first period was scoreless, although Harrison took numerous shots that almost connected. Terry chose down in the second, escaped and got a pivotal takedown to lead 3-0. Harrison chose neutral in the third and again carried the battle, noticeably limping, but giving his all to the final buzzer. Harrison finished the 2009 season with a 20-15 record, having placed third at PSAC's and fourth at EWL's, while being selected to get to nationals via a wild card. Last year he qualified to nationals at 149-pounds and was also 0-2. In his Clarion career he has a record of 64-45. "I was proud of the effort our wrestlers gave at nationals today," said Clarion head coach Teague Moore. "Jay has gained valuable nationals experience and knows what it takes to get the job done. The experience will make him a better wrestler. Hadley was a true warrior, wrestling both matches on one healthy leg. He gave a great effort in his 3-0 loss against Terry and did his best to carry the battle in every period. Our fans would have been truly proud of his performance." CLARION NOTES: Clarion third year head coach Teague Moore led Clarion to an 8-14 dual meet record this year, a third place finish at PSAC's and 7th at EWL's... The Golden Eagles continue to improve under his leadership and return plenty of talent for the 2010 season. |
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