Golden Flashes Look to Start Season 3-0 at Mercyhurst Duals
12/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
UPCOMING MATCHES: The Kent State University wrestling team will take on three opponents in dual competition, Dec. 11, at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. The Golden Flashes will tangle with: Delaware State, East Stroudsburg and host Mercyhurst. ESU enters the weekend 1-2 highlighted by a 48-3 thrashing of Wagner. Mercyhurst is ranked 15h in Division II after a 21-13 triumph over West Liberty State. This weekend will mark the first dual meets of the season for both Kent State and Delaware State.
RECENT RESULTS: The Golden Flashes placed third of 11 teams at the Body Bar Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Ithaca, NY. For the second consecutive week, nine Flashes earned spots on the victory stand with top six finishes, including seven repeat place-winners. Host Cornell University won the team championship with 138 points, while KSU totaled 92 points. Senior Alex Camargo (Brook Park/Berea) won his seventh straight match to start the season in the 184-pound semifinals before falling in the championship. Junior Aaron Miller (Uniopolis/Wapakoneta) went 5-1 for a third place finish at 174 pounds. Junior heavyweight Willie Leonard (Chestertown, Md./Kent County) chalked up two pins on his way to a 5-1 third place finish. Ardian Ramadani (Garfield, NJ/Garfield) claimed fourth place for the second straight week with a 4-2 mark at 197. Freshman Kyle Chonko (Tallmadge/Tallmadge) and sophomore Kurt Gross (North Royalton/Padua Franciscan) each picked up three victories and fourth place finishes.
NEWS FLASHES: Now with 98 career wins, Alex Camargo (7-1) is tied for fifth place on the KSU all-time victory list. This weekend, Camargo will look to become the fifth wrestler in KSUs 78-year history with 100 career wins. Junior transfer Chad Sportelli (Easton, Pa./Easton/Nebraska) has placed in each of his first two tournaments at 125 lbs. In an early season NWCA poll, Sportelli (6-3) was ranked 20th in the nation. Junior Jason McGee (Cuyahoga Falls/Cuyahoga Falls) is 7-2 at 157 pounds but will likely see action at 165 on Sunday. Willie Leonard (8-3) has won 13 of his last 17 matches and owns a team best four pins on the year. Fellow heavyweight and redshirt freshman Jermail Porter (Akron/Firestone) has won 10 of his last 14 bouts. Junior 133-pounder Drew Opfer (Sandusky/St. Marys) is likely to see his first action of the year Sunday, after a preseason injury. Several underclassmen have competed unattached at tournaments in West Virginia, Ashland and Slippery Rock. Sophomore Clint Sponseller (Glenmont/West Holmes) has posted an 11-4 record including a second place at the Ashland Open. Freshman Danny Mitcheff (Lorain/Elyria) also grabbed a second place at Ashland to improve to 9-4 on the season at 133. Freshman 197-pounder Bret Thomas (Marion/Harding) saw his first career action at Ashland, going 4-1 for a fifth place finish.
IN THE RANKINGS: According to the Dec. 6, NWCA Division I rankings, Alex Camargo is rated 8th at 184 pounds, while senior Jason Bake (Massillon/Jackson) is 17th at 149. Eight Golden Flashes were ranked in the top three of their respective weight classes in the Nov. 29 Mid American Conference Coaches Poll. Camargo secured the top spot at 184 while Sportelli, Opfer, Miller and Gross earned #2 rankings. Bake, McGee and Ben Rings (Marysville/Marysville) were all tabbed #3 at their respective weight classes.
UP NEXT: The Golden Fashes will return to Pennsylvania for the Clarion Duals on Sunday, Dec. 18. KSU will take on Lock Haven, Pitt-Johnstown and previously ranked North Carolina.
