Another overtime loss for Clymer at NCAAs

PHILADELPHIA Another overtime for Ben Clymer. And unfortunately, another overtime loss.

The former Northwestern Lehigh wrestling standout and current Hofstra University 184-pounder saw his NCAA Division 1 Championships end Friday morning when he dropped a 2-1 decision to Navy's Luke Rebertus in the second round of consolations.

Clymer, who finished his season with a 22-10 record, opened the tournament with a tough 4-2 defeat in extra time to the sixth-seeded Ryan Loder of Northern Iowa.

After staying alive in the opening round of the wrestlebacks Thursday evening with a 5-1 victory over Corey Peltier, Clymer was looking to advance in hopes of reaching the coveted top eight.

"It's just hard to work so hard and commit to something and come up with nothing," said a disappointed Clymer.

The one-time PIAA champion took a 1-0 lead against Rebertus with a second period escape. The Navy grappler, however, gained a tie with his own escape in the third period.

After neither wrestler scored in the one-minute sudden victory time frame, Clymer failed to escape from the defensive position in the first tiebreaker period. Rebertus got free in his chance for the winning point.

Clymer, who also played football in high school, still has another year of eligibility remaining. While upset with Friday's outcome, being on the mat is still a thrill for the former Tiger.

"Beyond getting my schooling taken care of, I wrestle for that feeling," said Clymer, whose brother Scott wrestles at Liberty University and qualified for the NCAAs a year ago.

"Friday night football was great. I love both sports, but there is nothing in the world like winning a big wrestling match. There is just nothing like it."