Flashes Collect 3 Quarterfinal Pins at MAC Championships
3/8/2019 9:49:00 PM | Wrestling
NORFOLK, Va. - Kent State sophomore Andrew McNally (184) will be wrestling for a Mid-American Conference title Saturday after going 2-0 on the opening day of the 2019 MAC Championships. McNally was one of three Golden Flashes to record a quarterfinal round pin Friday inside Old Dominion's Ted Constant Center.
"As a team, we wrestled hard today," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "We just have some guys that aren't where they need to be yet. And they can use this as a learning experience for next year's tournament."
Sophomore 141-pounder Cory Simpson was the only No. 7 seed in the tournament to defeat a No. 2 seed. Simpson pinned Ohio's Cam Kelly in 25 seconds. Simpson dropped his semifinal bout to Buffalo's Bryan Lantry 4-0.
"It was the biggest upset of the tournament," Andrassy said. "He just headlocked him to his back."
Junior 133-pounder Tim Rooney also avenged an earlier season loss in the quarterfinals by pinning Alijah Jeffey (Northern Illinois) in the third period.
"Tim stuck a half in and sunk it in as they were rolling around," Andrassy said of Rooney's first match. "He's now given himself a really good opportunity to steal a (NCAA) spot."
In his semifinal bout, Rooney entered the third period tied 2-2 with No. 1 seed Jaydin Eierman (Missouri), but was pinned in the third period.
McNally gave the Flashes three pins in the quarterfinal session, flattening Sergio Villalobos (SIU Edwardsville) at 1:54. In the semifinals, he won a back-and-forth battle against No. 2 seed Antonio Agee (Old Dominion).
"Andrew wrestled really, really well against a guy he lost to earlier in the year," Andrassy said.
Senior Isaac Bast (165) lost his opening match to Ohio's Colt Yinger 3-2. Bast bounced back by topping Bret Fedewa (Central Michigan) 10-6 behind a strong third period.
Saturday's action begins at 12 p.m. The final round in slated for 2 p.m., including McNally's matchup against No. 1 seed Dylan Wisman of Missouri.
Players Mentioned
