Kent State University
Ohio State
Flashes Visit No. 4 Ohio State in First Dual Thursday
11/12/2014 11:16:00 AM | Wrestling
Kent State's first dual meet of the season may also be its toughest dual of the year as the Golden Flashes visit No. 4 Ohio State Thursday at 7 p.m. inside St. John Arena in Columbus. The Buckeyes are No.2 in this week's InterMat Dual Meet rankings, while the Flashes are No. 25.
Strong Opening Weekend
Despite having two of its best wrestlers out of the lineup this past weekend, the Golden Flashes made a strong statement in their debut, with 11 wrestlers placing in the top eight spots at the Brockport/Oklahoma Invitational. Senior 174-pounder Caleb Marsh, junior 141-pounder Kyle Bauer and junior 197-pounder Cole Baxter all won titles, while junior 133-pounder Mack McGuire placed second.
Quick Shots
- The Golden Flashes are tied for 20th in Wrestling Insider NewsMagazine's Tournament Power Index and No. 21 in InterMat's Tournament Rankings
- Six Flashes are currently ranked in WrestlingReport's Top 25
- Kent State currently has just one senior in its starting lineup
- Redshirt freshman Nate Valentine is expected to make his dual meet debut at 149, while junior Mike DePalma is expected to return this weekend.
- Senior Tyler Small recently recorded his 100th career victory, becoming the 14th Kent State wrestler to reach that feat.
- Junior Ian Miller is in fourth place among Kent State's career pin leaders with 30. Miller is ranked No. 3 in every poll.
The Competition
Ohio State had four individual champions at the Mercyhurst Open this past weekend, including junior 133-pounder Johni DiJulius and junior 184-pounder Kenny Courts, who are both expected to be in action Thursday night. One week earlier, the Buckeyes also won four individual titles at the Michigan State Open, including freshman 125-pounder Nathan Tomasello, senior 157-pounder Josh Demas and freshman 197-pounder Kyle Snyder, all of whom are expected to compete Thursday night. Three-time national champion Logan Stieber will likely see his first action of the year at 141.
Dual Success
Since Head Coach Jim Andrassy's third season (2005-06), the Golden Flashes have gone 120-50-1 in dual meets, including two wins over Ohio State.
Quick Turnaround
The Golden Flashes will return from Columbus to Kent late Thursday night and go back on the road Friday, heading to Ypsilanti, Mich. On Saturday, the Flashes will take on Michigan State, Chattanooga and Lock Haven in the Eastern Michigan Duals. A number of other Kent State wrestlers will make the trip, participating in the Eastern Michigan Open.
Projected Lineup vs. Ohio State
125 – Nathan Tomasello (4-0) vs. Del Vinas (4-4)
133 – Johnni DiJulius (4-0) vs. Mack McGuire (2-1)
141 – Logan Stieber (0-0) vs. Kyle Bauer (7-1)
149 – Blake Riley-Hawkins (3-2) vs. Nate Valentine (1-4)
157 – Josh Demas (4-0) vs. Ian Miller (0-0)
165 – Justin Kresevic (7-3) vs. Tyler Buckwalter (4-2)
174 – Mark Martin (4-1) vs. Caleb Marsh (4-0)
184 – Kenny Courts (4-0) vs. Cory Campbell (5-4) or Mike Vollant (3-5)
197 – Kyle Snyder (4-0) vs. Cole Baxter (2-0)
285 – Nick Tavanello (4-1) vs. Mimmo Lytle (5-4)
Live video can be seen with a subscription to BTN Plus and live stats can be viewed on TrackWrestling.com
All-Time Series
Ohio State leads the all-time series 18-8 and has won the last six meetings, including a pair of matchups last season. Kent State's last win came on Jan. 7, 2007. At last season's NWCA Duals in February, Caleb Marsh had the lone victory for the Flashes. Last December, when the two teams met at the M.A.C. Center, five matches were decided by two points or less, all going in Ohio State's favor. Ian Miller and Tyler Buckwalter each had wins.
In the Rankings
InterMat
17. Mack McGuire (133)
15. Mike DePalma (149)
3. Ian Miller (157)
16. Caleb Marsh (174)
W.I.N.
18. Mack McGuire (133)
13. Mike DePalma (149)
3. Ian Miller (157)
15. Caleb Marsh (174)
The Open Mat
13. Mike DePalma (149)
3. Ian Miller (157)
15. Caleb Marsh
WrestlingReport
18. Mack McGuire (133)
24. Kyle Bauer (141)
15. Mike DePalma (149)
3. Ian Miller (157)
17. Caleb Marsh (174)
25. Cole Baxter (197)
MAC Coaches Rankings (Nov.)
2. Mack McGuire (133)
3. Mike DePalma (149)
1. Ian Miller (157)
3. Caleb Marsh (174)
4. Mimmo Lytle (285)
Players Mentioned
