Mountain Hawks to battle Illinois, Clarion Sunday at Grace Hall
11/18/2011 2:03:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh wrestling team looks to bounce back from its first home loss under Pat Santoro when the Mountain Hawks host No. 7 Illinois and Clarion for a tri-meet Sunday at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The Mountain Hawks battled back from a 15-0 deficit at intermission, but a win at 197 clinched the win for Pittsburgh in last week's dual meet opener. Lehigh's three returning All-Americans all won, with Zach Rey and Robert Hamlin posting bonus wins. Brandon Hatchett and freshman Nate Brown also picked up wins by decision.
The Mountain Hawks opened their dual season against Pittsburgh with three true freshmen in the lineup: Mason Beckman (125), Chris Dinnien (133) and Nate Brown (174). In addition, junior Shane Welsh made his first career varsity dual meet appearance, bumping up to 157. Although Brown was the only member of the group to win his bout against the Panthers, the four wrestlers making their varsity debut were the most for the Mountain Hawks since four newcomers debuted against Maryland in the 2008-09 season opener. The seventh-ranked Fighting Illini of Illinois are off to a strong start this season. Six Illini wrestlers won titles at the season opening Loras Open and then last weekend Illinois went 4-0 at the Wrestle for a Cure duals in Harrisburg, Pa., where the Illini posted decisive victories over North Carolina, The Citadel and Utah Valley and a six point win over Kent State. All six of Illinois' Loras Open champions are ranked in the top 20 by Amateur Wrestling News. Illinois boasts two top-five grapplers in B.J. Futrell (No. 3 at 133) and Jordan Blanton (No. 4 at 174). Both men will be competing in the NWCA All-Star Classic Monday night in Tempe, Ariz.
Clarion competed in open tournaments in the first two weekends of the season as the Golden Eagles hosted the Knight Point Open November 6 and then spent last weekend at the Oklahoma Gold Open in Brockport, N.Y. The Golden Eagles will open their dual season on Sunday with duals against Illinois and Lehigh. Junior James Fleming is the top-ranked Golden Eagle, coming in at No. 5 at 157. Clarion had two runners-up at the Knight Point Open in 11th-ranked Bekzod Abdurakhmanov at 165 and No. 19 Quintas McCorkle at heavyweight. Abdurakhmanov lost 4-3 to Lehigh's Brandon Hatchett in the finals. McCorkle won at Brockport, to lead Clarion's five place winners.
Surprisingly, Lehigh has a limited history with the two teams it will wrestle on Sunday. The Mountain Hawks are facing Illinois for just the third time, and the first time in Bethlehem since 1934. Despite being located in the same state, Lehigh and Clarion are wrestling for just the fourth time, and the first time in Bethlehem since 1997. The Mountain Hawks are 3-0 all-time versus the Golden Eagles
Sunday's tri-meet begins at noon when Lehigh meets Illinois. The Fighting Illini and Clarion will meet at 2 p.m., while the Mountain Hawks and Golden Eagles will wrap things up at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Lehigh Ticket Office, located in Grace Hall on Sunday, or by logging on to Lehighsports.com at any time.
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Date:
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November 20, 2011
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Opponent:
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No. 7 Illinois Fighting Illini
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First match:
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12:05 p.m.
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Arena:
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Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall (2,130)
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Lehigh's record:
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1-0 overall, 0-0 EIWA
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Illinois' record:
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4-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten
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Series:
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Tied 1-1
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Streak:
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Illinois won the most recent meeting in 2008
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Television:
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None
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Radio:
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 with Steve Lomangino beginning at 11:45 a.m.
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Internet broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com
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Behind enemy lines:
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Date:
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November 20, 2011
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Opponent:
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Clarion Golden Eagles
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First match:
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4:00 p.m.
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Arena:
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Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall (2,130)
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Lehigh's record:
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1-0 overall, 0-0 EIWA
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Clarion's record
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0-0 overall, 0-0 EWL
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 3-0
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Streak:
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Lehigh has won all three meetings
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Television:
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None
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Radio:
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None
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Internet broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com
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Behind enemy lines:
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