WVU Wrestling Looks to Continue Winning Ways Against Clarion on Senior Night

The West Virginia wrestling team will be in action inside the WVU Coliseum for the final time this season Friday night, as the Mountaineers take on Clarion in a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m.

The Mountaineers (8-5, 2-5 Big 12) look to follow their 20-18 victory over Air Force last Friday that snapped a four-match losing streak and continue on the winning path as the regular season comes to a close.

West Virginia Ends Losing Streak with 20-18 Victory Over Air Force

Clarion, which is West Virginia’s former rival in the Eastern Wrestling League that dissolved after the 2018-19 season, enters with an 11-4 record (8-2 in the Mid-American Conference). The Golden Eagles’ loss to Rider on Sunday ended an eight-meet win streak.

The Golden Eagles have won five of their seven road matches, but have faced just one ranked opponent this season, falling to then-No. 21 Rutgers 29-4 to open the year.

West Virginia, which holds a 6-2 mark at home, received 23 votes in this week’s edition of the NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll, just one vote shy of being ranked in the Top 25 for the second time this season.

Friday will be the 42nd time the Mountaineers and Golden Eagles have squared off on the mat, but the first since 2018. West Virginia has won eight consecutive matchups while leading the all-time series with a 25-14-2 record.

With a victory, the Mountaineers will reach nine dual meet wins for the first time since 2015, when West Virginia finished the campaign at 9-9. The Mountaineers are trying to reach their 14th nine-win season in program history.

Despite Win, West Virginia HC Tim Flynn Expects More Out of Wrestlers

West Virginia will also be honoring its eight seniors prior to the match, including regular starters Killian Cardinale (125 pounds), Scott Joll (174) and Anthony Carman (184).

Cardinale and Davin Rhoads, the Mountaineers’ normal grappler at 133 pounds, both missed the last matchup against Air Force due to rest.

While being listed No. 8 at 125 pounds, Cardinale is currently undefeated at 10-0 on the year after also missing time with a knee injury at the start of the season. Carman has been given an Honorable Mention rank, while Joll is attempting to work his way back into the mix after winning three consecutive dual meet matches.

Four other Mountaineers have been ranked in their respective weight classes, including Jordan Titus (Honorable Mention at 141 pounds), Sam Hillegas (No. 20 at 149), Peyton Hall (No. 12 at 165) and Michael Wolfgram (No. 14 heavyweight).

Wolfgram is retaining a Top 15 ranking despite being pinned in just 37 seconds in his last bout against No. 6 Wyatt Hendrickson of Air Force. The West Virginia junior has now faced an opponent ranked at No. 18 and above in four of his last five matches.

Clarion’s Will Feldkamp is the Golden Eagles’ lone starter currently ranked, coming in at No. 21 at 184 pounds. Feldkamp will likely take on West Virginia’s Carman during the meet.

The match can be streamed live via Big 12 Now on ESPN+.