Lock Haven Dominates Clarion, 37-7

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University wrestling team (6-8, 3-3 EWL) got three free victories and plenty of surprise ones in taking out Clarion University (3-13-1 0-6 EWL) 37-7, in the final dual of the season tonight at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles earned victories in all but two bouts on the night.

Junior B.J. Mikeska (Derry, Pa./Bloomsburg University), and freshmen Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) and Jamie Nagel (Shade Gap, Pa./Mount Union Area) all earned upset wins for the Bald Eagles.

“What most impresses me is the way that Mikeska, Hepburn and Nagel won,” said LHU head coach Rocky Bonomo. “Each of those victories came in the final minute. That’s what we want to see, our guys working hard throughout the match to get wins.”

After forfeit victories for freshman Obe Blanc (Naples, Fla./Lely) and junior Jim Collins (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon), 141-pounder Brian Ellis (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) took on No. 10 Frank Edgar. The sophomore surprised Edgar with a takedown in the first half-minute, but Edgar rallied for a 5-4 advantage at the end of the period. Edgar would also control the rest of the match, finishing with a 17-5 major victory.

 Junior Joshua A. Medina (Las Vegas/Pima C.C.) continues to be nothing short of dominant as of late, tonight earning the 18-9 major decision, his 11th victory in a row. The 149-pounder has gone 6-0 in Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) dual meets this season.

Facing one of the taller tasks of the evening, sophomore Seth Martin (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) succumbed to No. 10 Chris Horning 9-0, shortening the Bald Eagle lead to 16-8.

At 165, Mikeska got a takedown in the final five seconds to avoid sudden-victory and snag the 5-3 decision. The Golden Eagles were then deducted a point by the referee for arguing, bringing the score to 19-7. The deduction, combined with the knowledge of another Clarion forfeit at 184 would clinch the win for LHU.

Sophomore Carlos Ponce (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes) had an aggressive move in the first 25 seconds that knocked out Chris Goings, causing an injury default victory. Sophomore Mike Metzger (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) then followed with a forfeit win.

At 197, Hepburn scored an escape in the last minute to win the tightly-contested 3-2 bout over Charlie Cilinski. The win improved Hepburn to 13-12 on the year.

And in the final bout of the day, Nagel entered the final period with a 3-2 advantage. After stalling points given to each side, and with Nagel staring down the barrel of the riding time severely in opponent John Fager’s favor, he got a step out with two seconds left for the 5-4 win.

The win gives LHU victories in nine out of the last 10 meetings with Clarion.

Mikeska, Hepburn, Nagel, Bonomo, Blanc, Collins, Ellis, Medina, Martin, Ponce, Metzger and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action Saturday, March 5 as they travel to Clarion for the EWL Championships.

Wt.	LHU 37, Clarion 7
125	Obe Blanc (LHU) forfeit
133	Jim Collins (LHU) forfeit
141	#10 Frank Edgar (Clar) maj. dec. Brian Ellis, 17-5
149	Josh Medina (LHU) maj. dec. Nathan Geesaman, 18-9
157	#10 Chris Horning (Clar) maj. dec. Seth Martin, 10-0
165	B.J. Mikeska (LHU) dec. Marcus Surin, 5-3
174	Carlos Ponce (LHU) inj. def. Chris Goings, :25
184	Mike Metzger (LHU) forfeit
197	Ben Hepburn (LHU) dec. Charlie Cilinski, 3-2
Hwt.	Jamie Nagel (LHU) dec. John Fager, 5-4
	*all rankings by NWCA