Kent State University
Cleveland State
Flashes Look to Send Out Seniors With Dual Win
1/31/2020 12:38:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT, OHIO- Kent State will honor its five-man senior class and look to send them off with a final home victory as the Golden Flashes host local and conference rival Cleveland State on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
The Flashes will recognize Kade Byland, Lane Hinkle, Shane Mast, Tim Rooney and Cory Simpson in a pre-match ceremony. It will be a key dual for the Flashes, as they come into Saturday at 2-4 in the MAC after last weekend's road win over Buffalo. For Cleveland State, it's a big dual for them as well, entering Saturday's dual at 3-3 in conference.
Kent State picked up a big road win at Buffalo, edging the Bulls 20-17. Tim Rooney won a key decision at 133 pounds over the MAC's top-ranked wrestler at 133 pounds, Derek Spann. Andrew McNally earned a tech fall, while Tomas Gutierrez, Kody Komara, Colin McCracken and Spencer Berthold all earned victories in the dual win.
The victories pushed Tim Rooney (#15), Andrew McNally (#17) and Colin McCracken (#28) up the WrestleStat rankings in their respective weight classes. Saturday's 197-pound matchup is certainly one to watch for as Ben Smith is ranked #6 in the MAC at 197 while McCracken has just cracked the WrestleStat top-30. It will be the third time the two have faced off this season with McCracken winning by decision and major decision so far.
For Cleveland State, Evan Cheek is ranked #14 by WrestleStat at 141 pounds and #5 in the conference. The senior will enter Saturday with an impressive 29-3 record. The Vikings only other MAC ranked wrestler is the aforementioned Smith.
The local rivals are no strangers to each other, with Kent State owning a 22-8-1 all-time edge. The Flashes have won the previous 12 duals between the schools and put that streak on the line on Saturday. Cleveland State last won in 2004, a 22-13 victory at Kent State.
Saturday's dual will stream live via Box Cast and fans can follow along on Track Wrestling or on Twitter @KentStWrestling. Links are available at the top of the story and on the wrestling schedule page.
The Flashes are back in action next Sunday as they travel to Mount Pleasant to take on Central Michigan. The dual is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
125: Logan Heil (19-7) vs Tomas Gutierrez (6-9)
133: Justin Patrick (14-9) vs #15 Tim Rooney (21-8)
141: #14 Evan Cheek (29-3) vs Cory Simpson (5-17)
149: Gus Sutton (11-11) vs Kody Komara (13-15)
157: Nico O'Dor (10-10) vs Brady Chrisman (9-12)
165: Riley Smucker (18-11) vs Kade Byland (11-18)
174: Chase Archangelo (13-15) vs #17 Andrew McNally (26-7)
184: DeAndre Nassar (17-13 overall; 8-7 at 184) vs Shane Mast (16-9) or Lane Hinkle (6-8)
197: Ben Smith (21-9) vs #28 Colin McCracken (19-11)
285: John Kelbly (11-11) OR Collin Kelly (8-10) vs Spencer Berthold (13-16)
Players Mentioned
