Kent State Stuns Spartans 18-17

Sunday, December 30

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

11:00 AM

Kent State University

Minnesota

12/30/2018 4:09:00 PM | Wrestling

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the first time since 2013, Kent State (6-7) knocked off a Big Ten opponent with an 18-17 victory over Michigan State (4-2) Sunday at the South Beach Duals. Each team won five matches, but Andrew McNally's pin gave the Golden Flashes the bonus points they needed to close out their weekend on a high note at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center.

After absorbing a 51-0 loss against No. 9 Minnesota to start the day, the Flashes evened their weekend record at 2-2 to close out the 2018 portion of their schedule.

Three Flashes avenged losses from earlier this season against Spartan opponents, beginning with junior Tim Rooney, who topped former teammate Anthony Tutolo 4-3 at 133. In a scramble from the neutral position, Rooney converted a third period takedown that proved to be the difference-maker.

"That was the win that really got us going," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "We knew we matched up well enough to make it a close dual and Tim gave us the spark today."

Redshirt freshman Kody Komara (149) became the next to bounce back from an earlier season loss. Komara scored takedowns in the first and third periods on the way to a 6-5 decision over Jaden Enriquez. Komara did not allow a takedown, but was hit with two penalty points and used riding to time to seal his win in regulation.

A major decision at 157 had Kent State trailing 11-6, before senior Isaac Bast (165) earned a 7-3 victory over Gary Ritchie. Bast notched two of his three takedowns in the third period and tallied a riding time point.

"Isaac wrestled really hard," Andrassy said. "It was one of his best matches of the season."

Sophomore Dylan Barreiro (174) gave the Flashes their first lead (12-11) with a 5-1 win over Drew Hughes. After getting pinned by Hughes at the Navy Classic, Barreiro scored the only takedowns of the match in the first and third periods on Sunday.

Michigan State's Cameron Caffey entered the 184-pound match undefeated (18-0) and recorded an opening takedown against McNally. Caffey then locked up a cradle, but McNally broke it before points were scored. An escape and takedown by McNally, set up his pin with three second left in the first period.

"Andrew put a half in and their guy tried to roll," Andrassy said. "And as they rolled he just sank the half in deeper and stuck him."

The Spartans still had a chance to get bonus points in the final bouts, but Shane Mast (197) and Spencer Berthold (285) didn't allow it, as the Flashes hung on for the one-point victory.

"It was a big win for us," Andrassy said. "Hopefully we can build off this."

Kent State returns to action Jan. 11-12 at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va.