University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
at 2005 Clarion University Duals - 12/18/05
Mountain Cat Wrestlers Post 2-1 Record at Clarion Duals
12/18/05...Head Coach Pat Pecora and the #3-ranked Mountain Cat wrestling team finished the first semester in fine fashion by posting a 2-1 record against three Division I teams at Sunday's 2005 Clarion University Duals. Pitt Johnstown defeated Clarion and Lock Haven University, but suffered a loss to Kent State (OH) University. Senior Thad Benton (141 lbs.) (Claysburg, Pa.) and sophomore Albert Miles (165 lbs.) (Canonsburg, Pa.) were both 3-0. The Mountain Cats are now 10-2, including an 8-2 record against Division I teams.
In Sunday's opening match, Pitt Johnstown jumped out to a 21-0 lead, before handing Clarion a 36-6 loss. Senior Jay Matteo (149 lbs.) (New Castle, Pa.) got the Mountain Cats going with a fall over Robert Hermo at 2:16. Junior Joe Strittmatter (Ebensburg, Pa.) earned an 11-3 major decision at 157 lbs., before Miles (165 lbs.) and junior All-American Eli Garshnick (165 lbs.) (Armagh, Pa.) won by decisions to put Pitt Johnstown up 16-0. Sophomore and #1-ranked Mike Corcetti (Export, Pa.) made it 21-0 with a technical fall over Dominic Ross at 184 lbs. The Golden Eagles got on the scoreboard with a decision victory at 197 lbs, but senior two-time National Qualifier Zach Majocha (Upper Burrell, Pa.) followed with a 10-5 win at heavyweight, and sophomore Derrek Bosso (125 lbs.) (Pequea, Pa.) pinned Toby Seger at 3:54 to increase the Mountain Cat lead to 30-3. Clarion's Robert LaBrake defeated Tom Brambley (Breezewood, Pa.), 5-2, at 133 lbs., before 2005 National Champion Thad Benton (141 lbs.) set the final at 36-6 with a fall over Greg Lewis at 3:28.
In round two, Pitt Johnstown clawed its way to a 7-3 lead after three bouts, but was unable to hold the lead and suffered a 19-14 loss to Kent State (OH) University. Sophomore Eric Svec (149 lbs.) (Grensburg, Pa.) opened the match with a 16-3 major decision over Kyle Chonko, but Kent State earned a decision victory at 157 lbs. to close the lead to 4-3. Pitt Johnstown regained the lead, 7-3 with a 6-5 win by Miles at 165 lbs. However, Kent State won the next five bouts to take a 19-7 lead. With just two matches remaining, the Mountain Cats needed to make up 12 team points. Sophomore Brandon Reasy (133 lbs.) (New Enterprise, Pa.) picked up a 4-3 victory over Drew Opfar, and Benton (141 lbs.) won a 12-4 major decision over Drew Lashaway, but it was not enough, as Pitt Johnstown came up five points shy.
The Mountain Cats ended the day with a come-from-behind, 24-15, victory over Lock Haven University. Pitt Johnstown fell behind 6-0 after the 149 and 157-lb. bouts. Miles got Pitt Johnstown back into the match when he completed his perfect day with a 4-1 win over Rory McCoy at 165 lbs. Lock Haven increased the lead to 12-3 with two more decision wins. However, the Mountain Cats roared back. Fowler (197 lbs.) won 3-2, before red-shirt freshman heavyweight Jon Neese (Chambersville, Pa.) tied the score with a fall over Tim Myers at 1:28. Lock Haven briefly regained the lead, 15-12, after Obe Blanc defeated Ryon Mazzocco (125 lbs.) (Cresson, Pa.), 12-6, but Pitt Johnstown finished strong with a pair of falls. Reasy pinned Casey Moore at :41 and Benton followed with his second fall of the day. This time, Benton pinned Shane Hyman at 2:41 to secure the victory.
Pitt Johnstown will break for the holiday season before starting the second semester at home against Kutztown University on Friday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sports Center.
Last Reviewed: December 18, 2005