Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Three Flashes Get First M.A.C. Center Wins in Loss to Buffalo
1/26/2019 3:20:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT, Ohio – Sophomore Kade Byland (174) made the most of his Mid-American Conference debut, but Kent State dropped its dual meet with Buffalo 28-13 Saturday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center. Byland, Andrew McNally (184) and Kody Komara (149) all earned victories for the Golden Flashes.
An admittedly nervous Byland, found himself down 2-0 early in the first period against Jake Lanning. But an all-or-nothing move coming out of the bottom position paid off and planted Lanning onto his back. A pin at the 1:12 mark gave Byland his first career conference win and his first victory at the M.A.C. Center. Just days earlier, he got word from Head Coach Jim Andrassy that he'd be filling in for an injured Dylan Barreiro.
"Kade knew he had an opportunity and he made the most of it," Andrassy said. "He went out there and proved how excited he was. He kept fighting and put himself in a position to make something happen."
Komara, a redshirt freshman, also picked up his first career MAC dual win and first victory at the M.A.C. Center, a 4-1 decision over Jason Estevez. Komara escaped in the second and countered an Estevez shot with an underhook and re-shot to score the only takedown of the match. Trailing 3-1 in the third, Estevez threatened with a deep shot, but a whizzer from Komara got the wrestlers back on their feet.
"Learning how to win (in close matches) is really important," Andrassy said. "This was one of his best matches of the year."
The Flashes third win of the day came in dominant fashion from McNally. The sophomore ran his current winning streak to eight matches with a 13-2 major decision over Logan Rill. By the final buzzer, McNally had built up nearly five minutes of riding time.
"I couldn't be happier with Andrew," Andrassy said. "He's the guy we look at right now and say: This is how we're supposed do things."
Junior Tim Rooney (133) got in on a shot in sudden victory, but Derek Spann countered and put Rooney on his back. Rooney, Shane Mast (197) and Spencer Berthold (285) all scored opening period takedowns, before suffering setbacks
"If Tim wins, we go into the last two matches with an opportunity to win the dual," Andrassy said.
Prior to the dual, senior Isaac Bast was presented with the Jerry Petrofes Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Kent State returns to action Friday night, visiting Cleveland State at Woodling Gym.
Buffalo 28 Kent State 13
125 lbs | Kyle Akins (UB) def. Jake Ferri (KSU) | MD 10-2
133 lbs | Derek Spann (UB) def. Tim Rooney (KSU) | Dec. 8-4 SV
141 lbs | Bryan Lantry (UB) def. Cory Simpson (KSU) | MD, 8-0
149 lbs | Kody Komara (KSU) def. Jason Estevez (UB) def. | Dec. 4-1
157 lbs | Alex Smythe (UB) def. Richard Jackson (KSU) | TF, 24-9
165 lbs | Troy Keller (UB) def. Isaac Bast (KSU) | Dec. 8-3
174 lbs | Kade Byland (KSU) def. Jake Lanning (UB) | Pin 1;12
184 lbs | Andrew McNally (KSU) def. Logan Rill (UB) | MD 13-2
197 lbs | Brett Perry (UB) def. Shane Mast (KSU) | Dec. 9-5
285 lbs | Jake Gunning (UB) def. Spencer Berthold (KSU) | Pin 3:51
Players Mentioned
