Kent State University
Old Dominion University (Virginia Duals)
Flashes Win Virginia Duals Silver Bracket with Victory Over Old Dominion
1/9/2016 12:56:00 PM | Wrestling
Kent State finished off a 3-1 weekend at the Virginia Duals with a 23-13 victory over No. 24 Old Dominion Saturday in the Silver Bracket finals. The Golden Flashes took 6-of-10 matches at Hampton Coliseum, including a first period pin from senior Cole Baxter (Butler, Pa.) at 184.
Baxter's pin of Terrell Forbes erased a 13-11 Monarch lead in the first of three straight Kent State victories to close out the dual.
"Cole does a great job of using his leverage from the top," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "And he was able to get two pins out of it this weekend."
The win at 184 set up a dual-clinching victory for Kyle Conel (Ashtabula, Ohio), who went 4-0 on the weekend. A takedown and a four-point turn in the first period was enough for Conel's 6-2 decision over Austin Coburn at 197.
"Kyle did a really good job this weekend," Andrassy said. "He's able to suck back his opponents with a head and arm to get near fall…And that's what won him the match today."
Redshirt freshman Devin Nye (Springfield, Ohio) earned his first career dual win with a 3-0 decision over Andrew Snyder. Nye, who is "getting better and better," according to Andrassy, converted on a single leg shot in the first period.
Redshirt freshman Casey Sparkman (Massillon, Ohio) went 2-0 on the weekend, following a 14-5 major decision over Austin Eads. Sparkman began to pull away with a four-point throw in the second period.
"Casey got a really nice win for us yesterday," Andrassy said. "And today, he showed us how he can really take it to his opponent and score points for seven minutes."
The Flashes first win came from Mack McGuire (Upper St. Clair, Pa.), who topped Emilio Saavedra 4-2. McGuire scored a first period takedown and rode out Saavedra in the first, which led to a riding time point. Saavedra recently won a 133-pound title at the Midlands Championships.
Senior Tyler Buckwalter (Mill Hall, Pa.) went 3-1 on the weekend, following an 11-2 major decision over Seldon Wright. In a tightly contested battle for 6:30, Buckwalter scored a late takedown and a four-point tilt to give the Flashes bonus points.
"Tyler got two different takedowns from scramble positions," Andrassy noted. "And while the major decision didn't make the difference in the dual, it definitely gave us a boost at the time."
Seniors Del Vinas and Mike Vollant and sophomore Anthony Tutolo all suffered close setbacks. Vinas was taken down in last 15 seconds in a 3-1 loss. Tutolo dropped a 2-1 decision to All-American Chris Mecate on riding time. Vollant rode out his opponent for the entire second period and trailed 2-1 to start the third in a 6-2 loss.
Seniors Mike DePalma (Jeannette, Pa.) and Ian Miller (Oak Harbor, Ohio) did not see action, but are expected back next weekend.
Kent State takes on archrival Ohio Friday, Jan. 15, followed by another conference road trip to Eastern Michigan on Jan. 17. Andrassy anticipates a number of highly-competitive upcoming duals in a conference that's as deep as it has ever been.
Kent State 23 Old Dominion 13
125: Brandon Jeske (ODU) over Del Vinas (KSU), dec. 3-1
133: Mack McGuire (KSU) over Emilio Saavedra (ODU), dec. 4-2
141: Chris Mecate (ODU) over Anthony Tutolo (KSU), dec. 2-1
149: Alexander Richardson (ODU) over Chance Driscoll (KSU), maj. dec. 11-1
157: Casey Sparkman (KSU) over Austin Eads (ODU), maj. dec. 14-5
165: Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) over Seldon Wright (ODU), maj. dec. 11-2
174: Brooks Climmons (ODU) over Mike Vollant (KSU), dec. 6-2
184: Cole Baxter (KSU) over Terrell Forbes (ODU), pin 1:56
197: Kyle Conel (KSU) over Austin Coburn (ODU), dec. 6-2
285: Devin Nye (KSU) over Andrew Snyder (ODU), dec. 3-0
Players Mentioned
