Kent State University
Clarion Open
Tutolo and James Lead Flashes at Clarion Open
11/6/2016 10:14:00 PM | Wrestling
Kent State sophomores Anthony Tutolo and Jairod James each won individual titles at the Clarion Open Sunday inside the Clarion Recreation Center. Six other Golden Flashes placed in the top four. Competing unattached, a majority of the Kent State roster got their first action of the season.
"I was very pleased with the results," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said after watching action from the stands. "This probably wasn't the same level of competition they'll see later in the season, but it was a great start for a lot of our guys."
Tutolo was nearly flawless at 133, going 4-0 with two tech falls and two major decisions. His closest margin of victory was a 10-1 semifinal win over Clarion's Taylor Ortiz.
"Anthony dominated his bracket," Andrassy said. "His maturity really showed today against some younger opponents."
James went 4-0 at 174 with victories over opponents from Mercyhurst, Penn State, Lock Haven and Virginia.Â
"Jairod did a good job of controlling his matches," Andrassy said. "And he kept his composure when a couple breaks didn't go his way."
Four Flashes made finals appearances including Stephen Suglio who went 3-1 in a second place finish at 197. Â After an 18-2 quarterfinal win, Suglio recorded his first pin of the season in the semifinals.
Sophomore Casey Sparkman was the runner-up at 157, going 4-1 with a tech fall and two major decisions. Sparkman's only loss was an 8-1 setback against Virginia's Andrew Atkinson.
Redshirt freshman Ben Heyob's only loss also came at the hands of Atkinson. Heyob went 4-1 at 157 with a pin and a major decision.
Sophomore heavyweight Devin Nye dropped his first bout, before stringing together four straight wins. Nye had a pair of first period pins in his fourth place finish.
Sophomore Isaac Bast went 4-1 in a third place finish at 165. Bast's only loss came in sudden victory.
Redshirt freshman Shane Mast had the busiest day in the group, going 5-2 in a fourth place finish at 184. Mast had two pins.
Kent State returns to action Nov. 13 at the Ohio Open.
