Feb. 3, 2002
The Cleveland State wrestlers rode into Lock Haven on a high after defeating Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) rival Bloomsburg, 27-10, for the first time in seven seasons. But Lock Haven also proved their toughness on Friday, upsetting EWL powerhouse Edinboro 22-18. The Vikings struck first, but the Scots countered with two quick pins that CSU could not overcome.
#17 Gerald Harris (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) got the Vikes on the board first with a 4-3 win over Ed Pawlak. After falling behind in the second period, Harris had to rally in the third frame with a reversal to take the one-point advantage.
Yet the next two matches took the wind right out of the Viking squad. At 184 pounds Joe Phillips (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights) had traded takedowns with #18 Josh Millard during the first period. But Phillips overshot in the second and Millard put him straight on his back for a pin at 3:41.
At 197 pounds Stipe Miocic (Willowick, Ohio/Eastlake North) got caught on his back by Lock Haven's Avery Zerkle early in the first period. Zerkle kept Miocic in bounds and maneuvered his shoulders to the mat for a pin at 1:15.
#17 Russ Davie (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) came right back with a pin of his own at 1:24. After grabbing a quick takedown Davie out muscled Steve Itterly and flipped him over onto his shoulders for the 1:24 fall.
#14 Phil Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) got the only other win for CSU at 133 pounds. The junior grabbed eight takedowns in an 18-6 victory over Victor Jackson.
