QUICK HITS

• A trio of Vikings picked up victories in Friday's EWL contest with Clarion
• Redshirt sophomore Cameron Lathem used a late takedown to secure a win at 125 pounds
• Senior Sam Matzek moved his EWL record to 2-1 with a shutout at 141 pounds
• Redshirt freshman Brady Barnett won his fourth straight dual match at 149 pounds
• Barnett is now 17-7 and 3-1 in EWL duals 

MATCH STORY

The Cleveland State University wrestling team was tied, 9-9, with visiting Clarion with four bouts remaining, but the Golden Eagles finished strong to claim a 25-9 victory Friday evening in Eastern Wrestling League action.

CSU got off on the right foot thanks to the work of redshirt freshman Cameron Lathem at 125 pounds. With the bout tied, 2-2, after two periods, Lathem chose a neutral position to begin the third period. His decision, and patience, were rewarded when he secured a takedown with approximately 30 seconds left in the match. Lathem held on for a 4-3 victory.

Clarion responded with a comfortable win at 133 pounds, but senior Sam Matzek soon put the hosts back on top.

Matzek used two takedowns, an escape and a point of riding time to pitch a 6-0 shutout at 141.

Redshirt freshman Brady Barnett nearly backed up the match at 141 with his own shutout at 149 pounds. Barnett used a takedown and two near-fall points in the first period to take the lead. He would stay in the top position throughout the second period and held on for a 5-2 win that never seemed in doubt in the final frame.

Clarion took the lead at 157 pounds with a first-period takedown. Redshirt sophomore Nico O'Dor seemed on his way to a reversal when the referee halted the bout due to an injury. Facing a three-point deficit in the third, O'Dor got within a single point but could not equal the match.

Redshirt sophomore Ryan Ford also came up on the short end of a 1-point loss at 165 pounds as his opponent successful stalled with a two-point lead late in the bout.

With the team score tied after 165 pounds, Clarion finished strong to take control of the dual.

Redshirt sophomore Colton Carroll was injured early in the 174-pound bout. Obviously limited with his ailment, Carroll continued to fight and refused to retire due to his injury.

True freshman Ben Smith had a good battle at 197 pounds against a nationally ranked opponent. Each wrestler had one takedown as Smith suffered a 4-2 setback.

Cleveland State will contest its road finale this Sunday, Feb. 10, at Michigan State.

Clarion 25, Cleveland State 9
125: Cameron Lathem (CSU) over Gavin Park (CU) - 4-3 dec. | CSU leads, 3-0
133: Seth Koleno (CU) over Armando Torres (CSU) - 13-3 MD | Clarion leads, 4-3
141: Sam Matzek (CSU) over Jalin Hankerson (CU) - 6-0 dec. | CSU leads, 6-4
149: Brady Barnett (CSU) over Avery Shay (CU)  - 5-2 dec. | CSU leads, 9-4
157: Mike Bartolo (CU) over Nico O'Dor (CSU) - 5-4 dec. | CSU leads, 9-7
165: Evan Delong (CU) over Ryan Ford (CSU) - 3-2 dec. | Clarion leads, 10-9
1 team point deducted from Clarion after 165-pound bout (control of mat area)
174: Max Wohlabaugh (CU) over Colton Carroll (CSU) - 20-5 TF 5:22 | Clarion leads 14-9
184: Tyler Bagoly (CU) over Chris Morrow (CSU) - 8-0 MD | Clarion leads, 18-9
197: Greg Bulsak (CU) over Ben Smith (CSU) - 4-2 dec. | Clarion leads, 21-9
285: Toby Cahill (CU) over Collin Kelly (CSU) - 10-2 MD | Clarion 25-9