Ohio Valley wrestling fans will have an opportunity to see college action up close and personal.

On Sunday, Feb. 14, Ohio University and West Virginia University will go head-to-head on the mat at Ohio University-Eastern's campus west of St. Clairsville.

''We've been working on this for a while, probably 3-4 years,'' event coordinator Gordie Longshaw said. ''We want to try and invigorate some life into the sport that is slowly dying off.''

The Bobcats and Mountaineers will clash at 3 p.m. in what is being billed as the ''Battle of the Borders.'' Prior to the match, a youth clinic will be held from Noon-2 p.m. featuring Bridgeport native Bobby Douglas. Following the match, veteran referee Bill Welker will hold a rules and interpretations seminar.

''Our goal is to get as many wrestlers, be it midgets, junior high or varsity, to come to this match,'' Longshaw continued. ''People in the Ohio Valley seldom get to see Division-I wrestling, so this is their opportunity.

''We want the kids to see that there is a future in wrestling. Some schools are dropping the sport and we don't want to see that happen, so we're going to have Bobby Douglas here to endorse the sport.''

The match will have a local connection as former Martins Ferry standout Clay Tucker is a senior member of the Bobcats squad. The four-time sectional, district and Ohio Valley Athletic Conference titlist is currently 20-12 wrestling at 157 pounds.

''We'd like to have a good turnout to root on Clay,'' Longshaw said.

Longshaw said its been quite a while since the Ohio Valley has played host to a college wrestling match. The last one was between WVU and Pitt and it was held at the then-Wheeling Civic Center, which is now WesBanco Arena.

Douglas, who spoke by telephone from Iowa, said he is seeking a couple of sites in the valley for regional training facilities, with the hopes that they can eventually lead to Olympic training sites.

''We have nothing in the eastern United States,'' Douglas said, referring to training facilities. ''We've already looked at two sites, one in Steubenville and the other in Bellaire. We can't call them Olympic training sites until after the USOC meets.

''We want to start with the wrestling clubs and draw the interest. Our main focus is on the juniors. We want to give kids of the Ohio Valley an opportunity to compete for the gold medal some day.

''We're hoping a match like this will stimulate talent for wrestling.''

Tickets are $3 for youth and $5 for adult. A ticket will get you into the clinic, match and rules meeting.