Mitcheff and Kilgore Both Earn All-American Status
7/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
OMAHA, Neb. - Kent State can add two more names to its list of All-Americans as senior Danny Mitcheff (133) and sophomore Dustin Kilgore (184) each clinched top eight finishes Friday at the NCAA Championships inside the Qwest Center. The Golden Flashes have now produced four different All-Americans (Kilgore, Mitcheff, Nic Bedelyon, Jermail Porter) in two seasons. Mitcheff is still in the running for third place and can finish no lower than sixth, while Kilgore will compete in the seventh place match Saturday.
Mitcheff was upended by defending national champion Franklin Gomez (Michigan State) 5-2 in the quarterfinals. Scoreless after one period, Mitcheff got caught in a second period cradle and trailed 3-0 after two. Gomez then escaped early in the third before Mitcheff scored the only takedown of the match.
In a season rubber match with Drexel's Steve Mytych, Mitcheff guaranteed his All-American status with a 3-1 victory. Mitcheff got in deep on a shot in the first period and twice more in the second but could not finish the takedown and trailed 1-0 heading into the third. One minute into the third Mitcheff earned an escape and would not be denied on his final shot, coming around back on an outside single leg.
"It was persistence on Danny's part," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of Mitcheff staying on the attack. "He knew what he was going to have to do, it just takes time to wear him down."
Mitcheff then advanced to Saturday's consolation semifinals with a 6-2 decision over Maryland's Steve Bell, who edged him 3-2 at last season's NCAA Championships. Remaining dominant on his feet, throughout the tournament, Mitcheff scored takedowns in the first and second periods on his own shots. He also earned a riding time point. Mitcheff has not been taken down in any of his five tournament bouts.
"His defense is as good as anyone's" Andrassy said of Mitcheff on his feet. "He didn't match up well with Gomez, but I think he can take third and that's his goal right now."
Kilgore's second loss of the season came at the hands of two-time All-American and No. 6 seed Max Askren (Missouri), who claimed an 8-5 decision in the quarterfinals. An opening period single leg takedown gave Kilgore a brief lead, but a failed cradle attempt resulted in a reversal for Askren. Kilgore escaped in the final seconds of the first and surrendered an escape to start the second. Askren then scored a pivotal takedown and rode out Kilgore to end the second. Kilgore tied the match 5-5 in the third with a reversal, but another cradle attempt created a reversal opportunity for Askren, who also earned a riding time point.
Nebraska's Josh Ihnen was the last obstacle in Kilgore's way for All-American status. Kilgore surrendered the opening takedown, but went on to score three takedowns of his own in a 9-6 victory. He also built up crucial riding time by the midway point of the second period, which forced Ihnen to give up an escape to start the third.
No. 2 seeded John Dergo of Illinois then nipped Kilgore 11-9. Kilgore held an early 4-1 lead with a pair of takedowns, but Dergo bounced back with the next four takedowns.
"It's a bittersweet thing with him," Andrassy said. "I'm glad he's an All-American, but he's better than a seventh or eighth. He's as good as anyone, but he doesn't always wrestle under control. Hopefully we can make some adjustments. He made great strides from last year to this year and hopefully he makes great strides from this year to next year."
Sophomore Brendan Barlow (285) went 1-1 Friday, finishing 3-2 for the tournament. Barlow chalked up his third win of the tournament with a 3-2 decision over Cal State Fullerton's Kurt Klimek. After a scoreless first, Klimek escaped in the second and Barlow escaped in the third. With less than a minute to go, Barlow countered a shot by Klimek and carefully kept his feet in bounds for the decisive takedown. An escape by Klimek in the final seconds posed no threat to the KSU heavyweight.
No. 6 seed Nathan Everhart of Indiana eliminated Barlow with a 4-1 decision. Everhart's takedown in the first period gave him a lead he would not relinquish. Barlow finishes his season 33-9.
"Brendan definitely has the ability to be an All-American," Andrassy said. "He has all the tools to be successful, but he also needs the confidence. Hopefully being in this environment for the first time will help him understand just how good he can be."
Sophomore Ross Tice (165) fell to No. 5 seed Colt Sponseller of Ohio State 17-3 in Friday's morning session. Tice finishes his season with 28 victories.
Saturday's morning session begins at 11 a.m. Eastern.
