West Virginia falls to Edinboro, ends losing streak vs. Clarion

It was a weekend full of action for the West Virginia wrestling team as it faced Edinboro in Morgantown Saturday night and then made a trip to Pennsylvania to take on Clarion Sunday.

WVU faltered in its first match against Edinboro, 29-9, but came back strong Sunday by finally snapping its losing streak after defeating
Clarion in a close 18-15 match.

Saturday night was "Senior Night" in the WVU Coliseum, where seniors such as Shane Young and Phil Mandzik were honored. West Virginia came into the match with a huge disadvantage after junior Nathan Pennesi broke his hand in a practice drill last week; Pennesi won’t return until the NCAA Championships.

Young started things off for the Moutaineers and finished his last career home match with a win against Edinboro’s Kory Mines by a score of 4-2. It was a conservative first period for both wrestlers where no points were awarded to either wrestler. Young opened up the scoring in the second period by earning a quick escape point and followed it up by earning another two points by a takedown late in the period.

"Young will go down as one of our top lightweights. He has been one of our toughest competitors," said WVU head coach Craig Turnbull.

Edinboro would go on a roll, picking up wins at 133, 141 and 149 pounds, extending his lead to 17-3 heading into 157-pound bracket. Freshman Jason Luster was called on for the start and managed to put the Mountaineers back on the scoreboard with an overtime victory against Casey Fuller. Fellow freshman Bubba Scheffel was the only other winner for WVU, and defeated his opponent 8-2 and to pick up his ninth win of the season.

West Virginia looked to rebound against Clarion Sunday and needed a victory by heavyweight Mandzik to finally end its winning drought.

Young started things out again for the Mountaineers and just like he did Saturday, put his team out front early. After holding each other in check for the first period, Young managed a takedown with less than a minute remaining in the third period to make it an undefeated weekend for the senior.

Junior Colin Johnston contributed with a win at 133-pounds, extending WVU’s lead to 6-0. Clarion responded by winning at 141 and 149-pounds, to put them on top by a score of 9-6. Ross Renzi,
Bubba Scheffel, and Lance Bryson all came away with wins, setting the score even for the heavyweight match.

Mandzik elevated the Mountaineers by scoring a takedown in the opening period and scored another one in the final seconds to secure a win for his team.

WVU will not take part in any action next weekend but will begin preparations for the Big 12 Conference duals set to take part March 8 in Stillwater, Okla.