Feb. 12, 2006

Clarion, Pa. - Winning was certainly contagious for the Cleveland State wrestling team this weekend, as the Vikings came out firing on all cylinders on Sunday (Feb. 12) to run away with a 35-0 victory over Clarion at Waldo S. Tippin Gym.

The win sends the Vikings to 6-7 overall and 2-3 in the Eastern Wrestling League, while Clarion drops to 0-15 and 0-5. CSU claimed wins in all nine bouts on the day, including six decisions.

"Our guys really came out and performed today." head coach Jack Effner said. "I think we learned a good lesson about how we affect each other. When some of us start doing well, it has a direct effect on other guys."

The Vikings jumped to a fast start in the match thanks to sophomore Ryan Hurley (149) and freshman Victer Crenshaw. Hurley worked a pin of Derrick Smith with 14 seconds remaining in the first period, while Crenshaw ran up the score on Lucas Christopher for a 21-3 tech fall at the end of the second period.

Clarion made the remaining bouts closer, but the Vikings showed no signs of letting up. Logan Downes entered the third period of the 165 bout with a 1-0 lead over junior Josh Ging, but Ging reversed 15-seconds into the period and rode Downes the rest of the way for a 3-1 win.

Freshman Rashard Goff also trailed 4-3 in the third period of the 285 bout after A.J. Brooks scored a late takedown, but an escape by Goff and a surplus of riding time gave the Viking the win at 5-4. The win gives Goff a 4-1 record in league competition this year.

Senior Ron Howard continued his winning ways at 184, scoring a 9-3 decision to move to a team-best 24-7 overall record and a 5-0 mark in the EWL, including wins in nine of his last 10 bouts.

"We performed to our capabilities today." Effner continued. "Clarion is struggling right now, but they still have a lot of good wrestlers. They are no pushover."

The Vikings close out the regular season next weekend as they host West Virginia on Sunday (Feb. 19) beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Woodling Gym.

Cleveland State 35, Clarion 0

149- Ryan Hurley (CSU) FALL Derrick Smith (CL) 2:46
157- Victer Crenshaw (CSU) TECH FALL Lucas Christopher (CL) 21-3; 5:00
165- Josh Ging (CSU) DEC Logan Downes (CL) 3-1
174- David Gilkey (CSU) DEC Dave Gardner (CL) 5-2
184- Ron Howard (CSU) DEC Dominic Ross (CL) 9-3
197- Ishmal Williams (CSU) FORFEIT
285- Rashard Goff (CSU) DEC A.J. Brooks (CL) 5-4
125- No Match
133- David Armstrong (CSU) DEC Rob LaBrake (CL) 10-5
141- Mike Hurley (CSU) DEC Greg Lewis (CL) 13-9