Wildcats, Tigers and Mocs, Oh My!
Matthew Lofton, Kent State Athletic Communications
Nov. 13, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Kent State will participate in their first dual meets of the year Saturday when they travel to Purdue to take part in the Boilermaker Challenge. The Golden Flashes will take on nationally-ranked Northwestern and UT-Chattanooga (receiving votes). Also, KSU will face Campbellsville, an NAIA power.
Kilgore wins gold in Brockport
BROCKPORT, N.Y. - As a team, the Golden Flashes finished fourth as a team with 108 points. Oklahoma won the tournament title with 140 points, while Edinboro (123) finished second and Central Michigan third (113.5).
Redshirt freshman Dutin Kilgore claimed the title at 184 in impressive fashion, spending less than 11 minutes on the match. Kilgore wrapped two pins around a 9-2 decision for the 184 championship.
Three other Flashes made the finals but did not fare as well. Sophomore Nic Bedelyon reached the championship at 125 pounds but fell in 13 seconds to Scott Sentes of Central Michigan. Redshirt junior Danny Mitcheff raced to the finals at 133 pounds but was pinned in the finals in 1:21 by Lou Ruggirello of Hofstra.
Fifth-year senior Jermail Porter made the finals with wins of 7-6 and 9-4, but he lost a tight match with Joe Fendone of Edinboro 2-0.
Five other Kent State grapplers placed in their respective weight classes. Fifth-year senior Drew Lashway finished third at 141, splitting his first two overtime matches before winning both matches in the wrestleack.
Tough Tests Await Flashes
NORTHWESTERN - The most intriguing match-up of the day very well could be between the only team ranked in both major wrestling polls. The Golden Flashes (25/23) battle the Wildcats (12/11). Northwestern began the season at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 9) where returned for his first matches since 2007 and went 4-0 to win the weight class. Northwestern leads the all-time series 2-0.
Chattanoga - An NCAA power, UT-Chattanooga is receiving the most votes of all non-ranked teams in the Intermat poll. The Mocs began the season Saturday (Nov. 8) with a Southern Conference drubbing of Davidson, 46-0. Newberry proved to be a tougher test as the Mocs squeaked by the division II power 24-16. KSU leads the all-time series 7-1.
Campbellsville- The Tigers and Golden Flashes square off on the mats for the first time ever. Campbellsville enters the matchup with an 0-1 record, losing to NAIA-ranked number 3 McKendree 30-11. Despite the big loss, Johnny Papesh recorded a tech fall win in the third period 16-1.
Battles brewing at boilermaker duals:
Saturday at the Boilermaker Duals, there has a potential for absolutely monumental early-season tussles. Besides Northwestern and Kent State in a huge team battle, there could be huge individual matches. At 125, Nic Bedelyon (13/11) could meet up with Brandon Precin of Northwestern. Drew Lashaway could bolster himself into the national rankings, as he might face UT-Chattanooga’s Cody Cleveland (4/3) and Northwestern’s Keith Sulzer (10/8). Redshirt Dustin Kilgore (13/16) can continue his climb up the polls if he were to run into and beat Northwestern’s Jake Herbert (2/2) at 184.
Follow the action at ksusports.com:
If you cannot make the trip to West Lafayette, follow all the action Saturday morning and afternoon on Kentstatesports.com. Live stats will also be provided, courtesy of the NWCA web site.
Full notes can be found by clicking here