3/4/2017 7:07:00 PM | Wrestling
Kent State sent three wrestlers to the semifinals Saturday at Northern Iowa's McLeod Center during the first day of the 2017 Mid-American Conference Championships. However, the Golden Flashes streak of 11 years with at least one MAC champion will come to an end Sunday.
"We had seven victories today against guys we lost to earlier in the season," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of his team's progress. "And we've got four guys that still have a shot to go to the national tournament. Overall I was happy with the effort from most of our guys."
Sophomore Anthony Tutolo knocked off No. 3 seed Cam Kelly of Ohio 5-2 in the quarterfinals. Tutolo gave up an opening takedown and trailed 2-1 after the first period. He took the lead with a reversal midway through the second and locked up the win with a takedown in the third.
"Anthony may be the best wrestler on our team, but right now 133 is the best weight class in our conference," Andrassy said of Tutolo's competition.
Sophomore Casey Sparkman also made his way into the semifinals. Sparkman needed only eight seconds in sudden victory to top Cullen Cummings of Ohio, 3-1. Sparkman quickly applied a front headlock and spun behind Cullens for the takedown.
"The style matchup gives him fits," Andrassy said of Sparkman taking on Cullens. "But he figures out a way to get the win."
Junior Stephen Suglio earned a 5-3 quarterfinal victory over Central Michigan's Austin Severn. After losing to Severn in the regular season, Suglio stayed aggressive from the neutral position and earned a key stalling point in the second period. He then tallied a third period takedown and secured a riding time point.
Tutolo, Sparkman and Suglio all dropped their semifinal bouts to opponents from Missouri.
The Golden Flashes had a solid opening pigtail round, winning 3-of-4 matches. Redshirt freshmen Tim Rooney (149) and Shane Mast (184), each avenged earlier season losses against opponents from Ohio. Rooney and Mast had both gone winless in conference duals. Junior Chance Driscoll (141) gave Kent State its first win of the day. The 5-0 decision over Northern Iowa's Jake Hodges was Driscoll's 20th victory of the season.
Rooney scored a takedown in sudden victory to secure a 4-2 decision over Kade Kowalski. Mast was dominant in a 19-4 technical fall over Dontae McGee. Rooney and Mast each dropped their next two bouts. Mast's final loss was a 2-1 setback in overtime.
Sophomore Isaac Bast dropped his opening bout, before winning a pair of matches in the consolation bracket. Bast defeated Ohio's Zach Wilson 9-6 followed by Buffalo's Tyler Rill 6-3.
"Isaac's healthy now and he's going really hard," Andrassy said. "He's to the point tomorrow where anything can happen."
Action on Sunday begins at 1 p.m. Eastern with the consolation semifinals. Coverage on ESPN3 begins at 2 p.m. Eastern with finals slated for 2:45. Live scoring of all matches is available on TrackWrestling.com.
