Wrestling Falls Just Short to No. 24 NIU, 19-18
KENT, Ohio ” In a thrilling battle for first place that came down to the final match of the evening, the Kent State University wrestling team fell just short of upsetting the nation’s 24th ranked team, losing to Northern Illinois 19-18 in a showdown of first place teams in the Mid-American Conference tonight (Jan. 14) at the M.A.C. Center.
Derek Hunsinger earned an 8-2 decision over junior Ben Rings (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) at 197 pounds in the finale to give the Huskies (5-2, 2-0) the win and sole possession of first place in the MAC. Kent State (6-7, 1-1 MAC) falls into second place in the league.
“We knew it was going to be close and we knew that if it came down to the final three matches then we had a good shot to win, “said head coach Jim Andrassy. “A few points here or there and we come out on top. I thought tonight was a good benchmark of both were we are and where we need to be.”
Trailing 16-9, sophomore Aaron Miller (Uniopolis, Ohio/Wapakoneta) and junior Alex Camargo (Brook Park, Ohio/Berea) gave the Golden Flashes a 18-16 lead with victories at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. Camargo’s pin of Tyler Bruesewitz was his 25th victory of the season.
Kent State had taken a 6-0 lead to open the meet with decision victories by junior heavyweight Tomas Rodriguez (Orange, Ohio/Orange) and classmate Drew Opfer (Sandusky, Ohio/St. Mary’s Central Catholic) at 125 pounds. Northern Illinois then won four of the next five matches to take a 16-9 lead.
Junior Jason Bake (Massillon, Ohio/Massilon Jackson) picked up a decision over Mike Grimes at 149 pounds for his 10th victory in 11 matches.
The Golden Flashes travel to Ashland University on Sunday, Jan. 16 for the Wendy’s Classic Duals. There Kent State will face Appalachian State University, Purdue University and Slippery Rock University.
No. 24 Northern Illinois 19, Kent State 18
Hwt: Tomas Rodriguez (KSU) dec. Joe Sapp (NIU), 5-0
125: Drew Opfer (KSU) dec. Chad Vandiver (NIU), 5-3
133: Sam Hiatt (NIU) major dec. Mike Compton (KSU), 20-6
141: Josh Wooton (NIU) pinned Jason McGee (KSU), 5:51
149: Jason Bake (KSU) dec. Mike Grimes (NIU), 3-0
157: Joe Henning (NIU) dec. Kurt Gross (KSU), 13-8
165: Johnny Galloway (NIU) dec. Nick Brenner (KSU), 5-4
174: Aaron Miller (KSU) dec. Danny Burk (NIU), 9-4
184: Alex Camargo (KSU) pinned Tyler Bruesewitz (NIU), 1:47
197: Derek Hunsinger (NIU) dec. Ben Rings (KSU), 8-2
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