Kent State University
UT Chattanooga
Flashes To Host Busy Weekend of Wrestling Before Holiday Break
12/17/2025 2:40:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT, Ohio- After a successful weekend of dual meets last week, the Golden Flashes will now return home for two big days of wrestling before the holiday break. On Friday, they will match-up with the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs inside the MAC Center for a dual-meet at 6 P.M.
The next day they will return to the MAC Center for the second and final Kent State Open of the season starting at 10 A.M. on Saturday. They will host a number of teams that include Chattanooga, Lock Haven, Mercyhurst, North Carolina, Edinboro and Michigan.
Last Time Out
The Kent State Wrestling team earned a pair of big wins in a Tri-Meet on the road in Western New York on Saturday. The Flashes took care of business against Gardner-Webb in the first meet of the day by a score of 20-14.
The Blue and Gold followed that up with their first Mid-American Conference Dual victory in the Josh Moore era as they defeated the Buffalo Bulls by a score of 22-10.
The Blue and Gold won six bouts in their first dual against Gardner Webb as Landen Duncan(141) won the first meet for the Flashes in a 7-4 Decision after Kent State dropped the first two.
Reese Stephen(157) and Ethan Barr(174) earned Major Decision victories over Dominic DiTullio(GWU) and Isiah Guerrero(GWU) respectively, while Nate Roth(141), Trent Thomas(184) and Blake Schaffer(197) also won their bouts in a Decision.
In the second meet, KSU came out swinging winning the first five matches of the dual as Nico Calello(125) started things out with a Major Decision win. Nick Molchak(133), Landen Duncan(141), Silas Stits(149) and Reese Stephen(157) followed that run with wins as well. Ethan Barr(174) and Blake Schaffer(197) finished out the wins for Kent State in the dual with their second of the day each.
Scouting Chattanooga
The Mocs have split their dual matches so far this season with a 3-3 record with some tough competition as of late. After starting off 3-0 in the Chattanooga Quad against Campbellsville, Huntington and King; UT Chattanooga has lost their last three to teams ranked or receiving votes.
Those include a loss to a common opponent to the Flashes in No. 2 Ohio State, 42-4 and a 37-6 loss to No. 4 Iowa. Those were sandwiched by a good Utah Valley squad who beat the Mocs 33-3.
The top active wrestler for the Mocs is Cooper Flynn(125) who is ranked 23rd in the country according to Flo Wrestling. Kamdyn Munro(174) and Landon Jones(184) are wrestlers to also watch out for as they both come in with a top-75 ranking. Ethan Vergara(285) has the most wins for the Mocs so far this season with seven.
Series History
Kent State and Chattanooga have a strong history in non-conference dual meets as they will wrestle for the 19th time ever on Friday. Kent State holds the all-time series lead with an 11-7 record. Chattanooga defeated the Flashes in the last meeting back in 2023, while the Blue and Gold last beat the Mocs in 18-13 in 2022.
Projected Lineups
Kent State vs. UT Chattanooga
125: Nico Calello/Ruben Pina-Lorenzana vs. #23 Cooper Flynn(3-3)/Ty Tice(4-3)
133: Nick Molchak vs. Bryce Luna(3-3)
141: Landen Duncan vs. Hunter Mason(4-4)
149: Silas Stits vs. Yuta Otero(2-2)/Hayden Hughes(1-2)
157: Reese Stephen vs. Cavarius Liddie(6-4)
165: Ty Deericks/Chris Earnest vs. Mason Reiniche(4-3)/Tavian Camper(3-3)
174: Ethan Barr vs. Kamdyn Munro(3-4)/Brody Murray(2-2)
184: Trent Thomas vs. Landon Jones(5-4)
197: Blake Schaffer/Mason Higley vs. Kendrick Curtis(3-2)/Logan Webster(2-1)
285: Brentan Simmerman/Corey Boerio vs. Ethan Vergara(7-3)
Up Next
After a dual with Chattanooga and The Kent State Open II, the Golden Flashes will enjoy the holiday break before returning back to action on January 8th, when they hit the road east to take on conference leading Rider in a conference dual meet at 2 P.M.
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Players Mentioned
