Kent State's wrestling team moved up one spot (21st) in USA Today/Intermat/NWCA Division I National Poll released earlier today (1/17).
Last week, KSU entered the national poll ranked 22nd after a 20-18 upset of #20 Ohio State on January 7. This past weekend, the Golden Flashes placed third at the Virginia Duals with a 4-1 record. KSU's only loss was a 24-12 decision to #12 Edinboro University. Edinboro won the Virginia Duals with a perfect 5-0 mark.
The Golden Flashes (9-1 overall, 0-0 MAC) also placed three individuals in the USA Today/Intermat/NWCA Individual Rankings. Senior Chad Sportelli (Easton, Pa./Easton) at 125 pounds and sophomores Eric Chine (Austintown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch) at 184 pounds and heavyweight Jermail Porter (Akron, Ohio/Firestone) are each ranked amongst the top 20 Division I wrestlers nationally in their respective weight class. Sportelli (14-1 overall, 10-0 in dual matches) currently ranks 16th. Sportelli won all five of his matches last weekend to improve to 10-0 in dual competition. Chine (20-9 overall 7-3 in dual matches) and Porter (17-7 overall, 7-2 in dual matches) are both ranked 20th nationally.
Kent State opens its Mid-American Conference schedule this evening with a 7 p.m. match against Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Golden Flashes will compete at the Wendy's Duals at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 21.
