Sports
Clarion wrestlers hosts national tournament
Junior Thomas Gowing wrestles during the National Collegiate Open at the Rec Center this past Saturday. (Jared Lampman/ The Clarion Call)
Clarion University’s student recreation center was the site of the National Collegiate Open Wrestling Championship on Saturday, Feb. 19.
The tournament featured more than one hundred wrestlers from universities nationwide, from Cal-Poly to Edinboro University.
Clarion Golden Eagle Bekzod Abdurakhmonov successfully placed third in the tournament in the 165 weight class.
His record for the day was 4-1.
He pulled off hard-fought wins against Virginia Tech’s Chris Moon, a 10-1 decision, and Purdue’s Ethan Smith, with an 8-0 decision.
Virginia’s Nick Sulzer finally stopped Abdurakhmonov’s run with a fall victory at 6:22.
After tasting bitter defeat, Abdurakhmonov rebounded by defeating two straight opponents.
He out-wrestled Virginia Tech’s Moon for a second time, and then Old Dominion’s Cade Blair, 8-0 in a decision win.
Rutgers University proudly put three first place winners up on the podium in the 141, 157 and 174 weight classes.
Billy Ashnault, Anthony Volpe and Greg Zannetti, respectively pulled off undefeated records throughout the tournament to secure the top position in each of their classes.
For redshirted and independent wrestlers, the NCOWC was one of the first opportunities all season to showcase their talents and put their hard work to good use.
Clarion’s Victor Lipari was among these wrestlers.
Due to NCAA restrictions, Lipari was unable to participate in any team activities this season, but entered the tournament as an independent entity.
Lipari was given a bye in the first round of his class, and then moved on to face Buffalo’s Max Soria.
When asked about the match, Lipari commented that it was one of the best he’s ever been involved in.
“(Soria) wrestled exactly as I did. Move for move,” Lipari said.
Lipari would regrettably lose the match, and suffered a rib injury in the process.
The Clarion wrestling squad is proud of its multiple placements in the NCOWC, and continues to keep a positive eye set on next year’s season.
“We’re an up and coming program,” Clarion wrestler Hunter McGraw said.
“Coach Moore is a great coach. He has a very aggressive mentality.”
On March 3, the Clarion Golden Eagles will compete in the Eastern Wrestling League Championships.
The tournament will be held in Bloomsburg, Pa.
Hunter McGraw and other top Golden Eagle wrestlers look to make a name for themselves against larger schools from across the nation.
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