Flashes Sink Vikings 33-3
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CLEVELAND - Despite resting five starters, Kent State had little trouble with Cleveland State Tuesday night in a 33-3 victory at Woodling Gym. The Golden Flashes captured 9-of-10 matches and scored major decisions in the final three bouts.
"Competing with each other in the room is how we've gotten better as a team," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of his squad's depth. "We just finished the Southern Scuffle four days ago and our focus has been on the Virginia Duals so we wanted to rest some guys."
Sophomore Stevie Mitcheff (125) started the night with an 8-2 victory over Ben Willeford. Mitcheff followed through on each of his first period shots for a pair of takedowns and added a two-point tilt to jump out to a 6-1 lead in the first three minutes.
"Stevie's been doing a really good job," Andrassy said. "He's probably the second best 125-pounder in the MAC right now."
After freshman Tyler Small took a forfeit at 133, sophomore Chase Skonieczny (141) topped Josh Paviloda 6-5 to give the Flashes a 12-0 lead. Palivoda scored all five of his points in the third period, but Skonieczny never relinquished his lead.
Junior Marcel Clopton (149) trailed 1-0 after two periods, before downing Lawrence Cavello 6-2. Clopton notched a pair of third period takedowns and added riding time.
Sophomore Mallie Shuster (157) tallied takedowns in all three periods on his way to an 8-3 victory over Matt Donohoe. Shuster's first dual win of the year extended Kent State's lead to 18-0.
Junior Ross Tice (165) needed a five-point move with 10 seconds left in the match to defeat Robbie Michaels 8-6. Michaels led 5-3, carrying two minutes of riding time when the two grapplers went out of bounds with 11 ticks on the clock. Looking to avoid a stalling call, Michaels took a shot off the whistle and Tice turned it into a cradle for a takedown and a three-point near fall.
"The good thing is Ross is figuring out ways to win," Andrassy said. "Last year he probably wouldn't have a match this way. He needs to relax and he has to do better earlier in the match."
Making his debut in a varsity dual, redshirt freshman Ethan Taylor suffered the Flashes only loss of the night at 174, falling 7-2 against Aric Thurn.
Sophomore Casey Newburg (184) jumped out to 9-1 first period lead on the way to a 15-3 major decision over Corbin Boone. Newburg tilted Boone twice in the opening period and controlled the match for seven minutes.
Kent State continued to turn Vikings on their backs in the final two matches, beginning with sophomore Keith Witt, who was wrestling up a weight class at 197. Witt tallied near fall points in all three periods of his 12-0 victory.
"Keith knows how to wrestle well," Andrassy said of Witt wrestling heavier opponents. "He's tall and knows how to use his leverage and his weight."
Senior Joe Tymoszczuk (285) continued his recent roll since moving back to heavyweight, with an 11-2 major decision over Chris Weber. Tymoszczuk nearly pinned Weber on two separate occasions and has amassed seven wins in five days.
"These are hard matches," Andrassy said. "We had two practices yesterday and a full practice this morning. We may not have looked good in some matches, but our focus is on the Virginia Duals and the end of the season."
The Golden Flashes (4-4) will take part in the Virginia Duals Friday and Saturday (Jan. 7-8) at the Hampton Coliseum. Kent State will take on Rider in the opening round.
Kent State 33 Cleveland State 3
125: Stevie Mitcheff (KSU) dec. Ben Willeford, 8-2
133: Tyler Small (KSU) won by forfeit
141: Chase Skonieczny dec. Josh Palivoda 6-5
149: Marcel Clopton (KSU) dec. Lawrence Cavello 6-2
157: Mallie Shuster, (KSU) dec. Matt Donahoe 8-3
165: Ross Tice (KSU) dec. Robbie Michaels, 8-6
174: Aric Thurn (CSU) dec. Ethan Taylor 7-2
184: Casey Newburg (KSU) maj. dec. Corbin Boone 15-3
197: Keith Witt (KSU) maj. dec. Nick Anthony 12-0
285: Joe Tymoszczuk (KSU) maj. dec. Chris Weber 11-2
