Herbert, ranked second in the nation at 184 lbs., is now 12-0 in 2008 with seven pins. Herbert won a 2003 Pennsylvania state championship and compiled a 141-18 overall high school record while competing for North Allegheny.
Clarion features two ranked wrestlers, including No. 19 Jay Ivanco at the 125-pound division. But NU's third-ranked Brandon Precin was too much, picking up an 8-2 decision to improve to 8-0 in dual match competition.
At 157 lbs., No. 16 Jason Welch scored a hard-fought 6-5 win against 17th-ranked Hadley Harrison of Clarion. Welch opened with a takedown in the first and Harrison countered with a reversal to knot the bout at two after one period. It remained tight in the second frame as Welch recorded an escape, Harrison posted a takedown and Welch reversed back to take a 5-4 lead entering the third. Harrison escaped in the third, but Welch had 1:02 in riding time and earned the victory with the extra point.
Welch is unbeaten in dual matches at 6-0 and 9-1 overall.
Robert Joyce picked up his first dual victory of 2008 with a 7-2 decision of Danny Galvan at 133 lbs. while No. 6 Keith Sulzer rebounded after a tough loss Friday night against Pittsburgh with a 6-0 win against Sal Lascari.
Robert Kellogg notched his second dramatic win in as many days for the 'Cats with an 8-7 overtime win vs. Scott Joseph at 174 lbs. Down 6-4 to start the third, Joseph escaped and took Kellogg down with about 40 seconds remaining to lead 7-6. Kellogg responded with an escape to tie the match. In overtime, Joseph had to take a second injury time, which gave Kellogg choice of starting position. He chose down and escaped to win 8-7 and has now won six of his last seven matches.
Northwestern also received victories from Andrew Nadhir (149), Kyle Bertin (165) and Ben Kuhar (285).
The Wildcats are now set to vie for Midlands titles when Northwestern hosts the annual event Mon.-Tue., Dec. 29-30 at Welsh-Ryan Arena for the nation's elite college wrestlers. Fans interested in witnessing the tournament live should call 847-491-CATS for tickets. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the Midlands finals live from Evanston at 7 p.m. on Dec. 30.
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