Flashes Take Home The Grudge Match Trophy For First Time In Five Years With 20-19 Win Over Ohio

Friday, February 6

Kent, Ohio

7:00 PM

Kent State University

Ohio

Flashes Take Home The Grudge Match Trophy For First Time In Five Years With 20-19 Win Over Ohio

2/6/2026 10:37:00 PM | Wrestling

Kent, OHIO- With a big home crowd in the MAC Center for Alumni Night, the Golden Flashes delivered by beating long-time rival Ohio in "The Grudge Match" by a score of 20-19. With the win, Kent State reclaimed The Grudge Match Trophy for the first time in five years.

After 10 bouts, the Blue and Gold were tied with the Bobcats by a score of 19-19, but won the dual on second criteria thanks to a Nick Molchak(133) pin in the first round of his match with Ryan Meek(Ohio).

Chris Earnest(165) made his mark by scoring a 9-0 Major Decision against a nationally ranked wrestler in Jack Lledo. Nico Calello started the dual out with a close 6-4 victory over Brayden Teunissen.

Nate Roth(149) was able to grab a 4-1 win over Paul Woo, while Brentan Simmerman won the dual for the Golden Flashes with a 10-3 win over Evan Wingrove(Ohio) as he tied it up giving his team a win by criteria.

Kent State vs. Ohio Results (20-19)

125: Nico Calello (KENT) over Brayden Teunissen (OHIO) (Dec 6-4)

133: Nick Molchak (KENT) over Ryan Meek (OHIO) (Fall 2:44)

141: Kolten Barker (OHIO) over Mason Tieffel (KENT) (Dec 4-2)

149: Nate Roth (KENT) over Paul Woo (OHIO) (Dec 4-1)

157: Derek Raike (OHIO) over Reese Stephen (KENT) (Dec 9-2)

165: Chris Earnest (KENT) over Jack Lledo (OHIO) (MD 9-0)

174: Garrett Thompson (OHIO) over Ethan Barr (KENT) (TF 16-0 3:41)

184: Sal Perrine (OHIO) over Ronald Dimmerling (KENT) (TF 23-8 6:05)

197: Zayne Lehman (OHIO) over Blake Schaffer (KENT) (Dec 4-1)

285: Brentan Simmerman (KENT) over Evan Wingrove (OHIO) (Dec 10-3)

(KENT Tiebreak 1.0)

Up Next

The Golden Flashes will gear up for their third straight home meet next Friday when they host Central Michigan and Mercyhurst starting at 6 P.M.

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