Feb. 22, 2002
The Cleveland State wrestling squad dropped a heartbreaking loss to Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) rival Clarion last night, 19-15, at Tippin Gymnasium. It was the third time this season the Vikings lost an EWL match by four or less points. CSU had plenty of chances to pull out the victory, but two crucial losses, one in overtime and the other in the tiebreaker, epitomized CSU's night.
Jason Effner (Garfield Heights, Ohio/Garfield Heights) began the night by battling Clarion's Jim Perry at 165 pounds. After a scoreless first period, Effner escaped in the second to take a 1-0 lead into the final frame. However, Perry matched Effner with an escape of his own to send the bout into overtime. 40 seconds into it Perry hit the sophomore with a quick single-leg takedown and a 3-1 win. It was the 12th time Effner had a match decided by two or less points this season.
Yet the Vikings charged back in the next two matches, with Gerald Harris (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) and Joe Phillips (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights) each picking up a decision. Harris limped around the mat for the last two periods, but picked up two takedowns and a reversal in a 6-3 victory. Phillips had a tough time scoring against Marcus Surin for two periods, but landed two takedowns in the third frame to win, 5-3.
The Eagles fought back though, taking decisions at 197 pounds and heavyweight. Russ Davie (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) caught 8th ranked John Testa in a gator roll in the first, but was awarded no back points for it. Testa, then hit the heavyweight with two takedowns in a 5-3 win.
The matches continued to be close in the lightweight bouts as well. 125-pounder Rocco Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) took the only takedown of the match in the third period on a quick double-leg to win, 3-1. Phil Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) had the most intense match of the night with #8 Rad Martinez. Locked in a scoreless tie after the first period, Martinez escaped early in the second to take the lead. But Mansueto attacked and landed a single-leg takedown for a 2-1 lead. In the third frame CSU's junior escaped just before Martinez could get the riding time advantage. With a 3-1 lead Martinez hit a takedown at the edge of the mat with four seconds left to knot the score at three. Neither wrestler could score in the overtime, and Mansueto chose the down position in the tiebreaker. But Martinez kept him down in the 30-second period for the 3-3 win.
Nick Boucher (Sunfield, Mich./Lakewood) brought the Vikings back by landing a pin 2:17 into the match. The senior put Starlin Jimenez into a cradle for the fall. The win put the Vikings up, 15-12 with two matches remaining. However, Clarion got tough as senior Dom Surra grabbed a decision at 149 pounds while Jeremy Reitz finished off the Vikings with a 14-6 major.
