Wrestling's Rally Falls Short at Ashland
2/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ASHLAND, Ohio -- The Kent State University wrestling team rebounded from an early double-digit deficit but dropped the last two matches and lost at Ashland University Friday (Feb. 6) on criteria.
A forfeit in the opening bout at 125 pounds haunted the Golden Flashes (5-11, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) the entire match and ultimately was the criterion used to decide the winner after the match ended in an 18-18 tie.
Following the forfeit, Ashland (8-6) built a 12-0 lead as Zach Meissner edged Jared Opfer (Sandusky, Ohio/St. Mary Central Catholic) 3-1 at 133 pounds and Mike Neely defeated Nate Daugherty (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) 6-4 at 141.
But Kent State won the next five matches, including three by major decision, to take command of the match. Sophomore Jason Bake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) jumpstarted the Flashes with a 17-7 win over Eric Lakia at 149 pounds. Senior Mike Tolar (Parma, Ohio/Lakewood St. Edward), who is ranked 16th in the nation, then defeated Dugan Bentley 4-1 at 157 pounds, and junior Nick Brenner (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) followed with a 3-1 win in overtime over Matt Neely at 165 to cut the Eagles lead to 12-10.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Miller (Uniopolis, Ohio/Wapokoneta) then gave Kent State its first lead of the match with an 11-3 major decision over Justin Ferguson at 174 pounds. Sophomore Alex Camargo (Brook Park, Ohio/Berea) extended the Flashes advantage to six points (18-12) with a 13-5 major decision at 184 over Matt Allen.
Ashlands Ryan Kirst narrowed the gap to three points entering the final bout by defeating Nick Hiller (Greenville, Ohio/Ellsworth [Iowa] C.C.) 10-6 at 197 pounds.
In the finale, Eagles heavyweight Aldo Campea tried desperately to earn a major decision and give Ashland the outright win. But redshirt freshman Willie Leonard (Chestertown, Md./Kent County) kept him at bay long enough to deny any extra team points as Campea won 8-3.
The loss ended a three-match winning streak for Kent State and also was Ashlands first victory over the Flashes in the last 14 meetings dating to the 1987-88 season.
The Golden Flashes will next be in action Saturday, Feb. 14, at Ohio University. First match is 7 p.m. EST.
Ashland 18, Kent State 18* AU-KS125James Phillips (AU) won by forfeit 6-0133Zach Meissner (AU) dec. Jared Opfer, 3-1 9-0141Mike Neely (AU) dec. Nate Daugherty, 6-4 12-0149Jason Bake (KS) major dec. Eric Lakia, 17-7 12-4157Mike Tolar (KS) dec. Dugan Bentley, 4-1 12-7165Nick Brenner (KS) dec. Matt Neely, 3-1 ot 12-10174Aaron Miller (KS) major dec. Justin Ferguson, 11-3 12-14184Alex Camargo (KS) major dec. Matt Allen, 13-5 12-18197Ryan Kirst (AU) dec. Nick Hiller, 10-6 15-18Hwt.Aldo Campea (AU) dec. Willie Leonard, 8-3 18-18* Ashland wins on criteria (most six-point wins)
Ripken Reese Rips One Out of the Park for Kent State Baseball #baseball #ncaabaseball
Saturday, May 23
Alejandro Covas Doubles the Score With a 3 Run Homer for Kent State Baseball #baseball
Friday, May 22
Kent State Baseball Eliminates the 1 Seed Redhawks in the MAC Tournament #baseball #ncaabaseball
Friday, May 22
Brody Williams Hits it Out of the Park For Kent State Baseball at the MAC Tournament #baseball
Friday, May 22
