Grapplers Head To Las Vegas

December 3, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University wrestling team travels to Las Vegas, Nev., to take part in the 22nd annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational on Friday, Dec. 5-6, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Last year, Greg Jones won the 174-pound bracket to help lead West Virginia to a fifth place team finish. Jones (184) will see his first action of the season for the Mountaineers in defending his tournament title.

The Mountaineers hold a national ranking of 13th in the latest collegiate wrestling poll announced according to Intermatwrestle.com. The two-day event features 40 teams including Air Force, Arizona State, Edinboro, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Purdue, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.

Joe Clarke (141) and Matt Lebe (157) have both notched back-to-back tournament titles to open the 2003-04 season and will be counted on to score points in Las Vegas for WVU. Clarke is ranked 12th, while Lebe sits at No. 19 in the country. The duo has combined to go 17-0 with their wins at the WVU Open and Navy Classic.

Friday’s action begins at 9 a.m. (PST) and concludes with the placing rounds Saturday evening at 5 p.m. (PST).