Kent State University
George Mason University (Virginia Duals)
Flashes Top George Mason & Bucknell on 2-1 Day at Virginia Duals
1/8/2016 6:04:00 PM | Wrestling
Kent State went 2-1 on a peculiar Friday at the Virginia Duals that saw two individual opponents get disqualified at Hampton Coliseum. The Golden Flashes opened with a 32-6 victory over George Mason followed by a 25-9 setback to No. 18 Iowa State. The 1-1 mark in the James River Pool, sent the Flashes to the Silver Bracket, where they defeated Bucknell 22-17 in the semifinals.
The Golden Flashes put together six straight victories against the Patriots from 149 to 197, which included five convincing wins and a late surge by Casey Sparkman (Massillon, Ohio) for an 8-6 upset at 157. Sparkman's aggressive approach earned a stalling point late in third, followed by a takedown in the final seconds to seal the win over Greg Flournoy, who was ranked No. 16 in multiple polls.
The Flashes' six-match run started and ended with technical falls from Mike DePalma (Jeannette, Pa.) and Kyle Conel (Ashtabula, Ohio). DePalma used three different four-point tilts in his 15-0 blanking of Konbeh Koroma. Conel collected four takedowns, before using brute strength to yank Cameron Houston directly backwards for his final near fall in a 17-2 victory.
The streak also included a third period pin from Cole Baxter (Butler, Pa.), who slipped a half nelson in deep from the right side against Luke Ludke.
Later in the day, Baxter's overtime loss was one of five Iowa State victories within a two-point margin. Conel and Ian Miller (Oak Harbor, Ohio) claimed Kent State's two victories against the Cyclones. Miller was leading 8-2 at the conclusion of his match before Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer was disqualified for a flagrant misconduct.
A flagrant misconduct was also called against Bucknell in the 141-pound bout and made the difference in the dual meet. Anthony Tutolo was losing 16-4, in what would have been a major decision for the Bison. However, unnecessary contact resulted in a disqualification and the loss of a team point.
The other difference-maker against Bucknell came when Tyler Buckwalter (Mill Hall, Pa.) chalked up a first period pin. Buckwalter was trailing to start the match, before his cradle gave the Flashes a commanding 19-5 lead after six matches.
Conel completed a 3-0 day, improving to 9-0 on the year in dual meets. Trailing 1-0 to start the third period of his final bout, Conel converted a reversal into a two-point tilt and held on for a 4-2 decision over Rory Bonner.
Miller went 2-0 on the day with a 17-5 major decision against Zach Kelly. Leading 6-2 after the second period, he piled on 10 points in the third, including an inside trip at the edge of the mat for four points.
Mack McGuire (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) went 2-1 Friday with a strong third period against Bucknell's Grim Gonzalez for a 10-5 victory.
Kent State takes on Mid-American Conference foe Old Dominion Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Silver Bracket finals. The Monarchs also went 2-1 Friday, including a Silver Bracket semifinal win over Rider.
Kent State 32 George Mason 6
125: Del Vinas (KSU) over Ibrahim Banduka (GMU), dec. 4-2
133: Mack McGuire (KSU) over Vince Rodriguez (GMU), dec. 4-2
141: Tejon Anthony (GMU) over Anthony Tutolo (KSU), dec. 4-3
149: Mike DePalma (KSU) over Konbeh Koroma (GMU), tech fall 15-0
157: Casey Sparkman (KSU) over Greg Flournoy (GMU), dec. 8-6
165: Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) over Patrick Davis (GMU), dec. 7-0
174: Mike Vollant (KSU) over Ryan Forrest (GMU), maj. dec. 16-6
184: Cole Baxter (KSU) over Luke Ludke (GMU), pin 5:54
197: Kyle Conel (KSU) over Cameron Houston (GMU), tech fall 17-2
285: Matt Voss (GMU) over Stephen Suglio (KSU), dec. 5-2
Iowa State 25 Kent State 9
125: Kyle Larson (ISU) over Del Vinas (KSU), dec. 3-1
133: Earl Hall (ISU) over Mack McGuire (KSU), dec. 4-3
141: John Meeks (ISU) over Anthony Tutolo (KSU), dec. 3-1
149: Gabe Moreno (ISU) over Mike DePalma (KSU), dec. 14-12
157: Ian Miller (KSU) over Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer (ISU), DQ
165: Tanner Weatherman (ISU) over Tyler Buckwalter (KSU), maj. dec. 14-3
174: Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU) over Mike Vollant (KSU), maj. dec. 10-2
184: Dane Pestano (ISU) over Cole Baxter (KSU) dec. 3-1 (SV)
197: Kyle Conel (KSU) over Marcus Harrington (ISU), dec. 3-2
285: Quean Smith (ISU) over Devin Nye (KSU), dec. 7-2
Kent State 22 Bucknell 17
125: Paul Petrov (BU) over Del Vinas (KSU), dec. 4-1
133: Mack McGuire (KSU) over Grim Gonzalez (BU), dec. 10-5
141: Anthony Tutolo (KSU) over Tyler Smith (BU), DQ
149: Victor Lopez (BU) over Mike DePalma (KSU), dec. 13-6
157: Ian Miller (KSU) over Zach Kelly (BU), maj. dec. 17-5
165: Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) over D.J. Hollingshead (BU), pin 1:48
174: Rustin Barrick (BU) over Jerald Spohn (KSU), dec. 6-1
184: Tom Sleigh (BU) over Cole Baxter (KSU) dec. 3-0
197: Kyle Conel (KSU) over Rory Bonner (BU), dec. 4-2
285: Joe Stolfi (BU) over Stephen Suglio (KSU), pin 6:35
Players Mentioned
