Miller and DePalma Clinch All-American Status
3/18/2016 4:11:00 PM | Wrestling
New York – Kent State will have two All-Americans crowned Saturday as seniors Ian Miller (Oak Harbor, Ohio) and Mike DePalma (Jeannette, Pa.) earned spots on the podium Friday inside Madison Square Garden.  Four Golden Flashes were among the final 16 standing in their respective weights Friday afternoon before Miller earned a second career trip to NCAA semifinals and DePalma completed a 4-0 day. Â
Miller defeated Michigan's Brian Murphy 6-3, never trailing in the quarterfinal.  Miller followed a Murphy shot with a single leg re-shot for a first period takedown. Miller got in on another shot in the second for a takedown and built up riding time in each of the first two periods.
In his semifinal, Miller led No. 1 seed and defending champion Isiah Martinez 2-0 and 5-4, but Martinez pulled out a 7-5 win in sudden victory. Â Miller recorded a takedown in the first on a reshot and one in the third on an inside trip that brought the crowd to life.
"In regulation, Ian had more takedowns," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "What came back to haunt him was when he didn't get away in the first when he got taken down. It was a great match. People have told it was the greatest match of the night."
In the blood round, DePalma topped No. 4 seed Matthew Cimato of Drexel, 7-4. DePalma overcame a tough opening takedown call, in which he was credited with an immediate reversal afterward.  He began the second with a reversal and converted a double leg for a 6-4 lead after two. DePalma then rode out Cimato for the entire third period.
"It hasn't really hit me yet," DePalma said after his match with Cimato. "I'm just so grateful to be wrestling out here. I'm just focused on wrestling hard and using my ability to the fullest."
In his final bout of the day, DePalma tallied three takedowns against Central Michigan's Justin Oliver for an 8-6 victory and a spot in tomorrow's semifinals.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see Mike take a third with the way he's been wrestling," Andrassy said. "He's a prime example that you can get better during the year."
DePalma got a late four-point turn for a 12-3 major decision over North Dakota State's Clayton Ream in his first bout of the day. DePalma led 4-3, following a Ream takedown in the third, but finished strong with an escape, takedown and near fall.
Looking flawless in his second bout of the day, DePalma shut out Bucknell's Victor Lopez 6-0. DePalma tallied takedowns in the first and second periods and a reversal in the third.
"After his loss last night, I think Mike made up his mind that he was going to win the rest of his matches," Andrassy said.
Senior Mack McGuire (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) went 1-1 on the day and 2-2 for the tournament to close out his career. McGuire won his first bout of the day 4-2 over Navy's Zachary Davis. McGuire scored on a single leg shot early in the first and began building what resulted in over four minutes of riding time.Â
McGuire dropped his second match 5-3 against Utah Valley's Jade Rauser. A third period takedown by McGuire closed the gap to 4-3, but was not enough to make up for Rauser's four-point move in the second.  In four seasons, McGuire finishes 13th in career victories at Kent State with 109.
"Mack wrestled his match in his first one today," Andrassy said. "The second one, he let his opponent dictate the pace and caught him in a bad position. I feel bad for him.  He had a great career."
Redshirt freshman Kyle Conel (Ashtabula, Ohio) also went 1-1. Conel pulled away late for a 9-4 win over No. 15 seed Nate Rotert of South Dakota State. With a pair of throws for takedowns, Conel's third period lead was cut to 5-4 when he was hit for stalling. However, another body lock planted Rotert on his back for a four-point move to seal it.
Shawn Scott of Northern Illinois used a late takedown to break a 1-1 tie and end Conel's run.
"Scott wrestled his match and made one shot at the end," Andrassy said. "I think Kyle will be a Top 10 guy to start next season and will just be about believing in himself, learning and making the necessary steps to get to the top."
Senior Tyler Buckwalter (Mill Hall, Pa.) bowed out in the early session with a 6-5 setback to No. 13 seed Jim Wilson of Stanford. Wilson recorded a takedown with just three seconds left to clinch the victory.
"Tyler really developed over the course of his career," Andrassy said. "He's going to be very successful in whatever he chooses to do."
The Flashes sit in a tie for 15th place with 25.5 points.
Saturday's Session V begins at 11 a.m., and can be seen ESPNU.
Players Mentioned
