Kent State University
University of Missouri
James Improves to 4-0 in Duals as Flashes Fall at Missouri
12/20/2016 4:00:00 PM | Wrestling
Junior Jairod James remained unbeaten in dual meets, but Kent State fell to No. 5 Missouri 34-4 Tuesday afternoon at the Hearnes Center. The Golden Flashes dropped a pair of one-point decisions, while three other matches were within striking distance in the third period.
James (14-3, 4-0 duals) came up with a huge first period in a 14-1 major decision over Taylor Watkins. James scored a takedown and a pair of four-point turns in the third minute of the match for a 10-0 lead.
With the dual starting at 157, James cut the Tigers' lead to 10-4. Redshirt freshman Shane Mast tried to trim more off the lead but was turned in the third period in a 4-0 loss. Scoreless after two periods, Mast rolled from the bottom and Matt Lemanowicz took advantage with a four-count.
"Shane put himself in a position to win, but he made a big mistake."Â Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. Â "When your opponent has boots in on top, you have to be more careful."
Junior Stephen Suglio had a solid first period against two-time national champion J'Den Cox in what turned into an 18-3 tech fall. Â Trailing 4-1 in the first, Suglio countered a cradle attempt by Cox and scored a reversal at the edge of the mat.
Sophomore Devin Nye trailed his heavyweight match 3-2 late in the third when his shot attempt came up short. Austin Myers spun around for a takedown on the way to a 6-2 decision.
"Devin got a really good shot in and then just stopped," Andrassy said of a second period takedown by Myers. "And that made all the difference in the match."
Freshman Cory Simpson went toe-to-toe with defending MAC champion No. 7 Barlow McGhee at 125, but gave up a late takedown in a 3-2 setback.
"Cory wrestled really hard and put himself in a position to win," Andrassy said. "Eventually he's going to figure it out."
Sophomore Anthony Tutolo cut an early 8-1 deficit down to 8-5 in an 11-7 loss to No. 8 Jaydin Eirman. A number of shots by Tutolo created scrambles, two of which resulted in Tutolo takedowns.
"You can't give up back points against a good wrestler like that," Andrassy said of the first period. "But Anthony realizes what he can do against guys like that."
Junior Chance Driscoll suffered his first dual meet loss of the season, a 2-1 decision against No. 7 Matt Manley. In the third period, Manley built up over a minute of riding time, before Driscoll could escape.
"Chance almost had a takedown in the first period, before they went out-of-bounds," Andrassy said. "But he's got to get that escape earlier or choose neutral."
The Golden Flashes return to action Thursday, Dec. 29 in a one-day tournament at the Lock Haven Classic.
"I know the final score doesn't show it, but we wrestled about as well as we could have today," Andrassy said.
Missouri 34 Kent State 4
157: Joey Lavalee (UM) over Casey Sparkman (KS) maj. dec. 19-8
165: Daniel Lewis (UM) over Ben Heyob (KS) pin :38
174: Jairod James (KS) over Taylor Watkins (UM) maj. dec. 14-1
184: Matt Lemanowicz (UM) over Shane Mast (KS) dec. 4-0
197: J'Den Cox (UM) Stephen Suglio (KS) over tech fall 18-3, 7:00
285: Austin Myers (UM) over Devin Nye (KS) dec. 6-2
125: Barlow McGhee (UM) over Cory Simpson (KS) dec. 3-2
133: Jaydin Eirman (UM) over Anthony Tutolo (KS) dec. 11-7
141: Matt Manley (UM) over Chance Driscoll (KS) dec. 2-1
149: Lavion Mayes (UM) over Tim Rooney (KS) maj. dec. 10-2
Players Mentioned
