Flashes to Host Pair of Weekend Duals at Field House
12/15/2016 3:53:00 PM | Wrestling
For the first time in program history, the Kent State Field House will play host to a pair of non-conference dual meets this weekend. The Golden Flashes (1-2) take on Gardner-Webb (3-2) Friday night at 7 p.m. and Chattanooga (2-2) Sunday at noon.
Live Video & Audio
A live and free video stream of both dual meets can be seen on KentStateSports.com. Live audio of Kent State's dual against Chattanooga can be heard on Golden Flashes Radio on iHeart with Matt Miller.
Coming Off Victories
Sophomore heavyweight Devin Nye led a group of four Golden Flashes who earned wins Sunday at Buffalo.  Nye handed Jake Gunning (ranked No.1 in MAC) his first loss of the season with a 6-3 decision.  Junior Jerald Spohn earned a convincing 8-1 victory at 184.  Junior Chance Driscoll (141) and sophomore Jairod James (174) also claimed wins against the Bulls.
History vs. Opponents
Gardner-Webb comes to Kent, Ohio for the first time in 14 years, while Chattanooga comes back to Northeast Ohio for the first time in 26 years.
Kent State leads the all-time series with Gardner-Webb 7-0, most recently defeating the Runnin' Bulldogs three years ago at the Eastern Michigan Duals 42-4.
The Flashes lead the all-time series with Chattanooga 10-3, but the Mocs have won the last two meetings. Both of those meetings came during the 2014-15 season.
Probable Lineups
Kent State vs. Gardner-Webb
125: Cory Simpson (8-6) vs. Landon LoAlbo (1-4)
133: Anthony Tutolo (14-4) vs. Philip Anderson (2-5)
141: Chance Driscoll (9-7) vs. Ryan Hull (5-3)
149: Tim Rooney (8-9) vs. Chris Vassar (7-3)
157: Casey Sparkman (11-3) vs. Ryan Mosley (6-4)
165: Isaac Bast (8-7) vs. Tyler Marinelli (6-1)
174: Jairod James (13-3) vs. Austin Trott (11-1)
184: Shane Mast (9-5) vs. Hunter Gamble (8-1)
197: Stephen Suglio (9-7) vs. Payton Mills (4-4)
285: Devin Nye (9-7) vs. Boyce Cornwell (8-2)
Kent State vs. Chattanooga
125: Cory Simpson (8-6) vs. Alonzo Allen (2-6)
133: Anthony Tutolo (14-4) vs. Chris Debien (5-3)
141: Chance Driscoll (9-7) vs. Roman Boylen (4-3)
149: Tim Rooney (8-9) vs. Dylanger Potter (5-3)
157: Casey Sparkman (11-3) vs. Trey Watson (3-5)
165: Isaac Bast (8-7) vs. Justin Lampe (5-3)
174: Jairod James (13-3) vs. Sean Mappes (6-4)
184: Shane Mast (9-5) vs. Bryce Carr (7-1)
197: Stephen Suglio (9-7) vs. Clay Dent (3-3)
285: Devin Nye (9-7) vs. Jared Johnson (8-1)
The Opponents
The Mocs will begin their weekend with a dual meet at Ohio Friday night. Last month Chattanooga earned decisive victories over Sotheastern (40-12) and VMI (41-5). Six Mocs placed in the top six spots at the Joe Parisi Lindenwood Open led by individual titles from senior heavyweight Jared Johnson and junior 184-pounder Bryce Carr. Â
The Bulldogs are coming off a 29-13 victory over VMI last Friday with wins in the final five weight classes. Junior 165-pounder Tyler Marinelli, senior 184-pounder Hunter Gamble and senior heavyweight Boyce Cornwell have all earned Top 25 national rankings.
Quick Shots
- Since the 2005-06 season, Kent State is 144-68 in dual meets
- The Flashes are 8-3 in home duals since January of 2015.
- Casey Sparkman was named Kent State's Hometown Bank Student-Athlete of the Week after a 6-4 victory over No. 13 Jake Ryan of Ohio State.
- Nine Flashes placed in the Top 6 spots at the Navy Classic (Nov. 19).
- Devin Nye leads the team with five pins.
- Cory Simpson and Isaac Bast each recorded their first career dual wins against Cleveland State.
- The Flashes' eight straight years with at least one All-American is the 10th longest active streak in the nation.
- The Golden Flashes do not have a single senior on their roster
- Kent State concluded its 2015-16 season with a 16th place finish at the NCAA Championships and two All-Americans.
- The NWCA honored Kent State for having fifth highest grade point average in the nation last season at 3.325
Tutolo Leading the Way on the Mat and in the Classroom
Sophomore 133-pounder Anthony Tutolo was named MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week last week following a sixth place finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.  Tutolo's four wins were highlighted by a 9-8 comeback victory over No. 4 Earl Hall of Iowa State. A communications major, Tutolo carries a 3.6 cumulative grade point average. He has won 133-pound titles this season at the Clarion Open and the Navy Classic.
Up Next
Kent State visits No. 5 Missouri Tuesday, Dec. 20 in Columbia. With classes out of session, the Flashes will take on the defending MAC champions at 1 p.m. Eastern/Noon Central.
