Kent State University
Ohio
Flashes Ready For "The Grudge Match" Against Ohio On Alumni Night
2/5/2026 10:54:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State Wrestling team is ready to hit the mat against their biggest rival in the Ohio Bobcats on Friday night inside the MAC Center for Alumni Night. The Grudge match is set to begin with the first bout beginning at 7 P.M. Pre-match entertainment will be provided by the Love Burrito Band.
Last Time Out
The Kent State Wrestling team returned to their home mat for the first time in six weeks on Saturday to begin a four-week homestand. With much excitement in the arena, the Flashes were able to win their first dual of the day over Long Island University by a score of 29-9.Â
In the second dual, the Golden Flashes and Clarion fought an intense battle that ended in an 18-18 tie after 10 bouts. However, Kent State was defeated by a score of 19-18 by match-win criteria.
KSU started the day with seven wins over the Sharks. The most impressive came 29 seconds into Ethan Barr's(174) match as he pinned his opponent for his eighth fall of the season. Chris Earnest(165) and Blake Schaffer(197) were both able to earn five points for their team with Technical Fall victories.Â
Nico Calello(125) won the first bout of the day in an 11-0 Major Decision over Sawyer Ostroff(LIU), while Nick Molchak(133), Silas Stits(149) and Ronald Dimmerling all came away with decision victories for the Flashes.
The second meet of the day, started out in favor of the Golden Eagles as they won the first five bouts. Kent State then came clawing back with a dominant 17-1 Technical Fall from Earnest(165) for his second of the day.Â
Barr(174) followed that up with a 15-0 TF of his own which included an impressive match ride-time of 6:41. Down 18-10, Schaffer(197) delivered his second TF of the day as well in a 19-4 win over Ethan Wiant(Clarion). It was a timely one at that as the Flashes came into the final bout down just three.Â
Brentan Simmerman(285) won the final match over John Meyers by a score of 4-2 to tie the team scores at 18 each. The dual was ultimately decided in criteria in favor of Clarion who lead with six match victories.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats come into the dual with a 4-4 record and 1-3 in conference. The Bobcats have three common opponents to Flashes all by similar scores. Ohio took down Gardner-Webb while dropping matches to SIUE and NIU.
Ohio comes into the match with ranked wrestlers in the national rankings in four different weight classes. Derek Raike(157) is ranked 31st in the country while Garrett Thompson(174) is ranked 23rd nationally and first in the Mid-American Conference.
Sal Perrine(184), ranked the highest of any Bobcat on the team in the country, comes in at 19th and first in the MAC as well. Zayne Lehman(197) is also ranked in the top 25 and second in the MAC, setting up a very intriguing match with Blake Schaffer.
Series History
The historic rivalry will begin its 79th chapter in the all-time series on Friday between the Bobcats and Golden Flashes. The first ever meeting came back in 1929, and Kent State holds the series lead by a count of 49-29. The Blue and Gold will look for their first dual win in the rivalry since 2021 as the Bobcats have won the previous four matchups.
Projected Lineups
Kent State vs. Ohio
125: Nico Calello vs. Brayden Teunissen
133: Nick Molchak vs. Ryan Meek
141: Landen Duncan/Mason Tieffel vs. Kolton Barker
149: Silas Stits/Nate Roth vs. Paul Woo/Abe Hermes
157: Reese Stephen/Keegan Knapp vs. Derek Raike
165: Chris Earnest vs. Jack Lledo
174: Ethan Barr/Braxton Quaintance vs. Garrett Thompson/Jeremy Olszko
184: Ronnie Dimmerling vs. Sal Perrine
197: Blake Schaffer/Mason Higley vs. Zayne Lehman/Evan Wingrove
285: Brentan Simmerman/Corey Boerio vs. Wyatt Schmitt
Up Next
After meeting up with rival Ohio, the Golden Flashes will gear up for another home meet next Friday when they host Central Michigan and Mercyhurst starting at 6 P.M.
Follow Kent State Wrestling
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Players Mentioned
