Feb. 1, 2008
Contact: Gene Natale, Jr.
LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania. - Cleveland State fell to Lock Haven 28-13 in an EWL dual wrestling meet in Lock Haven, PA at Thomas Fieldhouse. 165-pounder Marcus Effner led a group of four Vikings who scored wins in the losing effort.
With the loss, the Vikings drop to 4-7 (0-2 EWL), while the Eagles improve to 7-5 (1-2 EWL). CSU has now lost seven of its last eight matches following a 3-0 start to the season.
"It's just another very disappointing day," head coach Jack Effner said. "It's hard to explain, we're just going through a really tough time right now. It's like we're in quicksand - we keep sinking in. We are working hard in practice, but we just aren't getting it done in the meets."
Cleveland State was led in defeat by junior 165-pounder Marcus Effner, who scored his 70th career victory in impressive fashion, a 12-3 major decision win over Lock Haven's Derek Caldwell.
"Marcus did a nice job today staying focused while his team was falling behind," Coach Effner said, "He just stayed tough and came away with a nice win."
Effner's victory came in the last bout of the match, with the team trailing the Eagles by a 28-9 margin. The Vikings would have their chances throughout the match but it was the Eagles that seemed to have all the answers. Lock Haven's insurmountable lead was built largely on the strength of three pins throughout the match, at 197, 125, and 157 pounds.
The match began at 174 pounds as the Vikings' JT Miller got his team off to a good start with a 6-0 decision over Tom Kocher of Lock Haven to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead.
"JT Miller started it off for us, got it done," Coach Effner said, "He's a really good kid working hard and seeing some good results now."
Lock Haven took the lead right back in the next bout as DJ Cummins fell by major decision, 15-5 to the Eagles' Jeramie Cook. The next bout would also be a loss for the Vikings as Alek Hughes fought through an injury suffered mid-bout but was eventually pinned toward the end of the third period by Lock Haven's Ben Hepburn, as the Eagles took a 10-3 lead.
At heavyweight the Vikings would strike back on the scoreboard. Eric Schwartz had not started since Jan. 5, but despite the break from competiton he was able to score a 9-6 decision to put the Vikings within four, 10-6.
At 125 pounds Ryan Riggs made the start after sitting out last week against Pittsburgh. He was not able to get anything going against Haven's John Trumbetti and was pinned in the waning seconds of the second period, as the Eagles' lead was elevated to 16-6.
Josh Palivoda got a win for the second week in a row at 133 pounds with a 7-1 decision over Haven's Dale Fava. With the gap closed to seven, 16-9, the Eagles went straight to work to put the match out of reach, winning the next three bouts at 141, 149, and 157 pounds.
Robbie Michaels returned to the lineup at 157 pounds, but the Viking win leader found himself engaged in a very tough match which he would unfortunately fall upon the losing end of. The match was tied through three periods, but then shortly after the sudden victory overtime period began, Michaels was pinned as the Vikings fell behind even further, 28-9. Michaels was making his appearance in the lineup since falling ill the night before the Eastern Michigan match on Jan. 12.
"Sometimes when things are going bad, its tough to get a handle on it," Coach Effner said. "We need a couple of guys to step up and change our luck. I feel we have good talent, are in good shape and are good wrestlers, but we just aren't getting it done."
Marcus Effner stayed focused throughout the evening and ran up plenty of points in a dominant 12-3 major decision victory at 165 pounds in the night's final bout. The junior, with 70 career wins, is now the active leader among all Viking wrestlers. He surpasses teammate Ryan Hurley (149 pounds) on the all-time list.
"Today was tough, but tommorrow is not going to be any easier," Coach Effner continued, "We just need to rise out of this swamp that we've been in."
CSU is back in action tomorrow afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. dual meet against EWL opponent Bloomsburg. The meet will be contested at Nelson Field House in Bloomsburg, PA on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Lock Haven 28, Cleveland State 13
174: JT Miller dec. Tom Kocher (LH), 6-0 3-0
184: Jeramie Cook (LH) maj. dec. Derek Cummins, 15-5 3-4
197: Ben Hepburn (LH) pinned Alek Hughes, 5:25 3-10
HWY: Eric Schwartz dec. Dan Craig (LH), 9-6 6-10
125: John Trumbetti (LH) pinned Ryan Riggs, 1:53 6-16
133: Josh Palivoda dec. Dale Fava (LH), 7-1 9-16
141: Clint Shirk (LH) dec. Mike Hurley, 9-3 9-19
149: Matt Fittery (LH) dec. Ryan Hurley, 8-2 9-22
157: John Mangini (LH) pinned Rob Michaels in SV, 6:09 9-28
165: Marcus Effner maj. dec. Derek Caldwell (LH), 12-3 13-28 LH
SV: First Overtime Period (Sudden Victory)
