February 23, 2003

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech wrestling team dropped a 32-10 decision to Clarion Sunday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies finish the regular season 0-13 overall, 0-6 in the Eastern Wrestling League, while Clarion improves to 9-7, 2-5 in the conference.

The match began at 174 pounds, where Tech's Steve Borja was forced into an overtime period for the second straight day. Again Borja was victorious, getting a crucial takedown for a 7-5 sudden victory decision over Dave Gardner of Clarion. Fourteenth-ranked Scott Justus took the mat for the Hokies at 184 pounds, facing Clarion's Eric Spence. Justus, appearing in his last match in Cassell, notched 12 takedowns and a reversal to capture a 27-12 technical fall, giving the Hokies four team points.

At 197 pounds, #12 Eric Mausser earned a 12-5 decision over Tech's Shaun Guttridge to put Clarion on the scoreboard. Clarion's John Testa, ranked ninth in the country, pinned Pete Pool at the 2:40 mark in the heavyweight match. Tech forfeited at 125 pounds, giving Peter Derstine the six-point team victory for Clarion. At 133 pounds, #14 Rad Martinez dominated Tech's Dalton Head, earning a five-point technical fall at the 6:19 mark. Frank Edgar earned six team points for the Golden Eagles at 141 pounds, as another Tech forfeit gave Clarion a 20-7 lead.

At 149 pounds, Reed Carpenter of Tech battled through two scoreless periods with Jim Perry. Carpenter, who rode Perry for the entire second period, chose the bottom position to start the third period and got a one-point escape. Perry responded by scoring the first offensive point s of the match with a takedown, but Carpenter's escape tied the score at 2-2. At the end of regulation, Carpenter was awarded an extra point for his 1:25 time advantage, as he picked up the 3-2 decision.

At 157 pounds, Clarion's Jeremy Reitz earned a 10-4 decision over Chris Stith. The match ended at 165 pounds, where Tech's Mike Cox was unable to overcome Chris Horning, dropping a 9-3 decision.

The Hokies wrap up the season at the EWL Championships, where Justus will look to defend his title at 184 pounds. The tournament will be held March 8-9 in Morgantown, W. Va.

Clarion (9-7, 2-5)	          32
Virginia Tech (0-13, 0-6)	   10
	                                                      CU	VT
174	Steve Borja (VT) dec. Dave Gardner, 7-5 (SV)	       0	3
184	#14 Scott Justus (VT) TF Eric Spence, 27-12	        0	7
197	#12 Eric Mausser (CU) dec. Shaun Guttridge, 12-5	   3	7
285	#9 John Testa (CU) fall Pete Pool, 2:40	            9	7
125	Peter Derstine (CU) win by forfeit	                15	7
133	#14 Rad Martinez (CU) TF Dalton Head, 6:19	        20	7
141	Frank Edgar (CU) win by forfeit	                   26	7
149	Reed Carpenter (VT) dec. Jim Perry, 3-2	           26	10
157	Jeremy Reitz (CU) dec. Chris Stith, 10-4	          29	10
165	Chris Horning (CU) dec. Mike Cox, 9-3	             32	10