Kent State University
Lock Haven Classic
Flashes Finish Second at Lock Haven Classic
12/29/2016 9:23:00 PM | Wrestling
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Four Golden Flashes placed in the top four spots giving Kent State a second place team finish in the Lock Haven Classic Thursday at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Flashes totaled 63.5 points as host Lock Haven claimed the team crown in a field that included wrestlers from 15 different institutions.
Sophomores Casey Sparkman and Devin Nye each claimed runner-up spots going 3-1 on the day. Nye notched his team-leading sixth pin of the season in the first minute of his opening match. His march to the heavyweight finals included a 3-1 decision and a 10-6 decision, before getting pinned in the finals by Lock Haven's Thomas Haines.
Sparkman registered his team-leading sixth tech fall of the year in his opening bout, a 19-2 victory over VMI's Kameron Warlitner. In his 157-pound semifinal bout, Sparkman was taken to overtime before topping Binghamton's Tristan Rifanburg 5-1.
"Casey was good in some tight situations," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "His opponent in the finals (Neil Richards VMI) was a national qualifier and he just got outwrestled."
Redshirt freshman Tim Rooney pushed himself for six victories and a third place finish at 149 pounds. Rooney chalked up a pin, a tech fall and two major decisions. He won his last four matches, including a 7-5 decision in the consolation finals over Old Dominion's Michael Hayes.
"Tim battled today and a couple of wins could be considered upsets," Andrassy said. "He's really athletic and if he can stay focused on what he needs to do at this level, he can continue to get better."
Redshirt freshman Shane Mast bounced back from an opening match loss and won four straight in a fourth place finish. Mast's wins at 184 included a 10-2 major decision over Army's Chris Morgan.
"Like a lot of our guys, Shane just needs to keep getting more experience," Andrassy said.
Junior Stephen Suglio was dominant in his three victories at 197. Suglio scored a pair of tech falls and a major decision on the way to the consolation semifinals. Redshirt freshman 165-pounder Jared Walker also went 3-2 on the day.
Junior Chance Driscoll won his first two bouts for a spot in the 141-pound semifinals, allowing just one point in each of his two victories. Driscoll bowed out in the consolation semifinals following a 5-4 loss to Binghamton's Jake Nicholson.
Sophomore Anthony Tutolo won his only bout at 133, before he withdrew due to a leg injury.
Kent State returns to competition Jan. 13-14 in a two-day dual tournament at the Virginia Duals inside the Hampton Coliseum.
Players Mentioned
