Conel's 3-0 Day Puts Him in NCAA Quarterfinals
3/15/2018 4:28:00 PM | Wrestling
Kent State junior 197-pounder Kyle Conel (Ashtabula, Ohio) put together one of the most memorable first days of an NCAA Championship in program history, by going 3-0 Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena.
Two other Golden Flashes earned victories and advanced to Friday's Session III.
In his evening quarterfinal bout, Conel knocked off No. 8 seed Nate Rotert (South Dakota State) 8-2. Conel used upper body lock takedowns in the first and second periods to do his damage. The second period takedown put Rotert on his back for a six-point move.
"I really tried for a single and it wasn't there," Conel said. "Going upper body…it felt like he wasn't ready for it. It's just getting a feel for where they're at with their hips."
"He's a real powerful guy and I think some people kind of misjudge him when he gets up in there," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of Conel. "A lot of guys will back out, but (Rotert) didn't and Kyle took advantage of it."
During his round of 32 bout, Conel blanked No. 9 seed Preston Weigel of Oklahoma State 5-0. Conel connected on a low shot at the edge of the mat with two seconds left in the first period. Weigel, who won the regular season matchup, then took injury time and hobbled through the rest of the match. Conel kept a steady and controlled pace for a takedown in the second and an escape in the third.
"You never know what's going on with your opponent," Andrassy said of Weigel being slowed down by his leg. "That's why you just have to go at guys, fight hard for seven minutes and you never know what can happen. Kyle did a good job of controlling it once he got his lead."
In his opening pigtail bout at 197, Conel topped Randall Diabe of Appalachian State 3-2. Â Conel's shot in the opening period led to the only takedown of the match.Â
The competition won't get any easier Friday as Conel takes on No. 1 Kollin Moore of Ohio State.
"It feels good," Conel said. "I'm right back where I want to be peaking at the right time. I feel like I can beat anyone."
Junior Anthony Tutolo (Concord, Ohio) joined Conel in the round of 16, but went 1-1. He will tangle with West Virginia's Matthew Schmitt Friday morning.
Tutolo earned a 5-2 decision over No. 15 seed Ali Naser of Arizona State at 133 pounds.  Tied 1-1 early in the third period, Tutolo's shot resulted in a long scramble, with both wrestlers hauling in ankles and attempting to get behind their opponent. In the end, Tutolo's efforts prevailed and he put the match away with another takedown late in the third.
"I felt in control," Tutolo said of the third period despite being tied. "It was a good scramble with constant movement and I was just trying to get height. I just kept working through it and the more height you get the better off you are.
"It feels great knowing all my friends and family are here," Tutolo said of Cleveland. "I started the tournament off right. I don't view it as an upset. I just got to keep it rolling now."
Tutolo dropped his round of 16 bout against No. 2 Stevan Micic of Michigan. Micic earned a 12-3 major decision.Â
Senior heavyweight Stephen Suglio (Richfield, Ohio) dropped his opening match against No. 3 seed Nick Nevills of Penn State. Nevills started the third on top and put Suglio on his back.Â
Suglio earned a medical forfeit victory Thursday night over Eastern Michigan's Gage Hutchison. Â He will take on Purdue's Shawn Streck Friday.
Junior Casey Sparkman (Massillon, Ohio) fell to No. 12 seed Mitch Finesilver of Duke 12-3 in his first bout. Finesilver scored a takedown on a re-shot at the edge in the first period. He stretched his lead in the second with an escape and three more takedowns.Â
Sparkman dropped a 3-1 overtime decision to Lehigh's Ian Brown Thursday night. Brown tugged Sparkman's arm downward to briefly catch him off balance and spun behind for the takedown.
With 6.5 points, the Golden Flashes sit in a tie for 29th place in the team standings.
Session III of the NCAA Championships begins at 11 a.m. and can be seen on ESPNU
Players Mentioned
