Lineup Questions Begin to Get Answered at Wrestle-Offs

KENT, Ohio - A number of matches came down to the wire during Kent State's wrestle-offs Sunday morning at the M.A.C. Center. Although the lineup will see several changes throughout the year, starting spots for the opening weekend were on the line in many weight classes.

In the most action-filled final of the day, sophomore Sean Collins edged true freshman Jake McCombs 11-10 at 133 pounds. Deadlocked at 7-7 after two periods, Collins began the third with an escape and takedown, but McCombs scored a late escape and takedown of his own. When the final whistle blew, Collins carried just over a minute of riding time for the deciding point.

Collins vs. McCombs on gohiocasts.com

It was the second match of the morning for McCombs, who defeated freshman Tyler Small 4-2, scoring takedowns in the second and third period. Small also dropped a tight battle with 125-pound sophomore Stevie Mitcheff 6-4.

The longest match of the day came at 174 when redshirt freshman Brandonn Johnson needed four extra periods to defeat senior Chris Estep 3-1 in sudden victory. Estep claimed a penalty point late in the third to tie the match and nearly had a takedown at the boundary line in the first sudden victory period, before Johnson eventually notched the only takedown of the match. 

Johnson vs. Estep on gohiocasts.com

Another tight battle came at 184, where sophomore Casey Newburg topped classmate Keith Witt 3-2. Witt escaped in the third to tie the match 1-1, before a shot by Newburg made the difference.

Junior Marcel Clopton had a pair of wins at 149, including a 5-2 victory over sophomore Tommy Sasfy in the finals. A late takedown by Clopton secured the victory as he emerged from the five Golden Flashes competing for the spot. Sasfy defeated redshirt freshman T.J. Keklak 3-2 to get to the final. Clopton also knocked off true freshman Andrew Candiello, who had an early morning win against sophomore Drew Leonard.

Sophomore Mallie Shuster chalked up three takedowns in an 8-4 win over senior Sli Bostelman in the lone bout at 157.

Moving up a weight class did not appear to faze junior Dustin Kilgore, who pinned senior Joe Tymoszczuk in the opening period at 197. Tymoszczuk topped junior Ryan Buckner 6-1 to earn the right to wrestle Kilgore.

Junior Brendan Barlow scored a 15-3 major decision over freshman Tyler Obringer at heavyweight.

Barlow vs. Obringer on gohiocasts.com

Junior Ross Tice also claimed a comfortable victory at 165 pounds, 14-4 over redshirt freshman Ethan Taylor.

Junior Chase Skonieczny piled up plenty of riding time in a 6-1 win over true freshman Jacob Mellinger at 141.

Senior Matt Cathell (157) and junior Nic Bedelyon (125) were both held out of action.

The Golden Flashes' first official competition will take place in Salem, Va. on Nov. 6, with dual meets against Chattanooga and Iowa State. The Cyclones were ranked No. 2 in the final 2009-10 NWCA Coaches Poll, while Kent State was No. 16. The following day (Nov. 7), the Flashes will compete in the Hokie Open.