MAC Wrestling Weekend Recap: Feb. 22nd
MAC Wrestling Scoreboard:
Friday, Feb. 21
Missouri 24, Kent State 9
Edinboro 27, Kent State 9
Saturday, Feb. 22
Michigan State 18, Central Michigan 14
Sunday, Feb. 23
Ohio 37, Gardner-Webb 6
Ohio 20, Cleveland State 19
Northern Illinois 20, Buffalo 14
Northern Iowa 21, Old Dominion 19
Buffalo:
Bulls Falter Late To Northern Illinois; Drop Final Home Dual, 20-14
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo wrestling team (3-18, 0-8 MAC) suffered another heartbreaking defeat Sunday afternoon, losing to Northern Illinois by the score of 20-14. It was senior day for five UB seniors – Justin Farmer, Nick Flannery, Matt Dehney, Mike Soria and Gerard Mistretti.
Max Soria got the Bulls out of the gate quick at 125 pounds as he dominated his opponent, Nick Harrison, from the first whistle of the match until the final whistle. Soria produced a dominant major decision victory, 11-1. He recorded three takedowns, a three point near fall and a point for three minutes of riding time to give the Bulls the early 4-0 lead.
Wrestling for the last time in front of the home crowd at Alumni Arena, Justin Farmer did not disappoint, earning a decision victory by the score of 7-5. For the match, Farmer recorded two reversals and a takedown to defeat Derek Elmore. Farmer has now won back-to-back home duals and has 12 wins on the season.
The Bulls jumped out to the 11-0 lead just three matches into the dual as Flannery earned a major decision victory over Tyler Argue. Leading 5-1 after two periods, Flannery began to wear down his opponent, recording two more takedowns in the final period to pick up his team-leading 18th win of the season.
The Bulls dropped the next four matches as they fell behind 14-11 with the 184 pounders next on the mat. With the score knotted at one with under 10 seconds on the clock, Tony Lock electrified the crowd with a quick takedown at the buzzer to earn the Bulls the three points and tie the match score, 14-14.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, Angelo Malvestuto could not pick up any points as he was defeated by Shawn Scott by the score of 6-1 at 197 pounds.
In the final match of the afternoon, James Benjamin was outmatched by Jared Torrence, the #3 ranked wrestler in the MAC at 285 pounds. Benjamin lost to Torrence by the score of 7-4 after only producing four escapes for the match.
The Bulls will have a week off to prepare for the MAC Championships that will be held on Sunday, March 9 at Kent State.
Results:
125: Max Soria (BUF) won by major decision over Nick Harrison (NIU), 11-1
133: Justin Farmer (BUF) won by decision over Derek Elmore (NIU), 7-5
141: Nick Flannery (BUF) won by major decision over Tyler Argue (NIU), 11-3
149: Rob Jillard (NIU) won by decision over Ryan Todora (BUF), 6-4
157: Andrew Morse (NIU) won by decision over Wally Maziarz (BUF), 6-2
165: Sam Bennett (NIU) won by technical fall over Jake Campana (BUF), 15-0
174: Billy Chancey (NIU) won by decision over Rrok Ndokaj (BUF), 2-1
184: Tony Lock (BUF) won by decision over Caleb Busson (NIU), 3-1
197: Shawn Scott (NIU) won by decision over Angelo Malvestuto (BUF), 6-1
285: Jared Torrence (NIU) won by decision over James Benjamin (BUF), 7-4
Central Michigan:
No. 25 Chippewas Fall to Michigan State in Final Dual, 18-14
Mount Pleasant, Mich. - The Central Michigan wrestling program saw its 12-match winning streak versus in-state foe Michigan State snapped Saturday afternoon, 18-14.
The Chippewas (10-11) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead behind a pair of decisions from senior Scott Mattingly and sophomore Lucas Smith. Junior Mike Ottinger extended the lead to 9-3 with a dramatic 4-3 decision at 174 pounds.
Ottinger surrendered a takedown to Nick Kaczanowski late in the third period to fall behind 3-1 only to quickly turn for a reversal before time expired to send the match to overtime. Neither wrestler was able to score in the one-minute sudden victory period and Ottinger accumulated 30 seconds of riding time in the first portion of the first tiebreaker.
The junior then earned an escape when it was his turn on bottom and held off a takedown by Kaczanowski for his 22nd win of the season.
The Spartans won the next three matches however, including a pin by No. 7 Mike McClure at heavyweight to take a 15-9 lead.
Redshirt freshman Corey Keener pulled CMU back within three, 15-12, with a 7-3 decision at 125 pounds, but a loss by senior Joe Roth at 133 pounds and an unsportsmanlike conduct deduction sealed the win for the Spartans.
Sophomore Zach Horan nearly earned a pin in the first period of his match against Brian Gibbs and went on to win his 27th match of the year with a 6-3 decision.
The Chippewas celebrated the careers of seniors Mattingly, Roth, Craig Kelliher, Mike Murray, Logan Shanks, Chad Deno and Zack Cline prior to the match.
CMU will now begin preparations for the Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Kent State on March 8-9.
Michigan State 18, No. 25 Central Michigan 14
149: Scott Mattingly (CMU) dec. Nicholas Trimble, 6-3; CMU, 3-0
157: No. 20 Lucas Smith (CMU) dec. Roger Wildmo, 5-3; CMU, 6-0
165: Bobby Nash (MSU) dec. Nick Becker, 5-1; CMU, 6-3
174: No. 8 Mike Ottinger (CMU) dec. Nick Kaczanowski, 4-3 TB1; CMU, 9-3
184: John Rizqallah (MSU) dec. Craig Kelliher, 4-0; CMU, 9-6
197: Nick McDiarmid (MSU) dec. Jackson Lewis, 4-2; Tied, 9-9
285: No. 7 Mike McClure (MSU) pinned Adam Robinson, 2:49; MSU, 15-9
125: Corey Keener (CMU) dec. Brenan Lyon, 7-3; MSU, 15-12
133: Garth Yenter (MSU) dec. No. 11 Joe Roth, 8-4; MSU, 18-11*
141: No. 8 Zach Horan (CMU) dec. Brian Gibbs, 6-2; MSU, 18-14
* - A point was deducted from CMU's score for unsportsmanlike conduct following the 133-pound match
Kent State:
Missouri and Edinboro Come Away with Road Wins
KENT, Ohio – Sophomore Ian Miller and junior Caleb Marsh each went 2-0 Friday night, but Kent State dropped duals against No. 9 Missouri and No. 13 Edinboro at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes won three matches in each dual as the Tigers opened the night with a 24-9 victory and Edinboro followed with a 27-9 win.
Marsh, the reigning MAC Wrestler of the Week improved to 5-0 over a six-day span with a pair of victories . In a 2-0 win in his opener, Marsh rode Missouri's Mikey England for the entire second period and earned an escape in the third. Marsh scored a pair of takedowns in a 6-1 victory over Edinboro's Patrick Jennings, improving to 16-6 in dual meets.
Miller defeated a pair of Top 20 opponents, beginning with a 3-2 decision over Joey Lavallee. Miller was more dominant in a 10-4 win over Edinboro's Johnny Greishheimer. Despite aggravating his elbow, Miller pushed through the pain with a pair of impressive third period takedowns. Ranked No. 5 in multiple polls, Miller improved to 24-4 on the year.
The Flashes' first win of the night came from sophomore Mack McGuire, who claimed a 4-2 victory over Matt Manley. McGuire converted a key duck under in the second period for the only takedown of the match. In a loss to No. 2 A.J. Schopp, McGuire rode out Schopp for the entire third period.
Kent State's final win came from sophomore Cole Baxter, who blanked Edinboro's Warren Bosch 5-0. Shortly after a first period takedown, Baxter threw a leg in and turned Bosch with a power half for two more points.
Sophomores Del Vinas and Michael DePalma each suffered tough 2-1 losses, while junior Tyler Small dropped a match in a second sudden victory period.
"It's the end of the regular season and now it's postseason," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "Everybody's 0-0 and has the chance to qualify for the NCAA tournament. It's been important for our young guys to see what the best teams in the country are like. Our guys are never going to face anyone tougher than they already have."
Kent State will take two weeks off from competition, before hosting 2014 Mid-American Conference Championships March 8-9 at the M.A.C. Center.
Results: Missouri 24 Kent State 9
125 – Barlow McGhee (UM) over Del Vinas (Kent State) Decision 2-1
133 –Mack McGuire (Kent State) over Matt Manley (UM) Decision 4-2
141 –Lavion Mayes (UM) over Tyler Small (Kent State) SV two 7-2
149 – Drake Houdashelt (UM) over Michael DePalma (Kent State) Maj. 15-2
157 – Ian Miller (Kent State) over Joey Lavallee (UM) Decision 3-2
165 – Zach Toal (UM) over T.J. Keklak (Kent State) Decision 6-2
174 – Caleb Marsh (Kent State) over Mikey England (UM) Dec 2-0
184 – Johnny Eblen (UM) over Cory Campbell (Ket State) Maj 8-0
197 – J'Den Cox (UM) over Cole Baxter (Kent State) Dec 5-0
285 –Devin Mellon (UM) over Mimmo Lytle (Kent State) Maj. 12-1
Results: Edinboro 27 Kent State 9
125 – Kory Mines (EU) over Alfredo Gray (Kent State) Maj. 13-5
133 – A.J. Schopp (EU) over Mack McGuire (Kent State) Maj. 12-0
141 –Mitchell Port (EU) over Tyler Small (Kent State) Pin 5:50
149 – Dave Habat (EU) over Michael DePalma (Kent State) Decision 2-1
157 – Ian Miller (Kent State) over Johnny Greishheimer (UM) Decision 10-4
165 – Kasey Davis (EU) over T.J. Keklak (Kent State) Decision 10-5
174 – Caleb Marsh (Kent State) over Patrick Jennings (EU) Dec 6-1
184 – Vic Avery (EU) over Mike Vollant (Kent State) Dec 10-4
197 – Cole Baxter (Kent State) over Warren Bosch (EU) Dec 5-0
285 –Ernest James (EU) over Jordan Marrero (Kent State) Maj. 11-0
Missouri:
Tiger Style Closes Out Regular Season with 24-9 Win Over KSU;
The ninth-ranked Tigers won seven of 10 bouts Friday to pick up 10th victory of season
KENT, Ohio - The No. 9 Missouri Wrestling program closed out the 2013-14 regular season with a 24-9 conference victory over the Golden Flashes from Kent State on Friday evening. The Tigers won seven of 10 matches on the night, including bonus point victories from Drake Houdashelt, Johnny Eblen and Devin Mellon.
Freshman Barlow McGhee started things for the Tigers, topping Del Vinas of Kent State 3-1. McGhee took Del Vinas down late in the second for a 2-1 lead, and added an escape in the third to give Mizzou an early 3-0 lead.
At 141 pounds, Lavion Mayes's 7-2 overtime win gave Mizzou the lead for good. Mayes had a 2-0 lead after the first, but Small responded by riding Mayes tough on top in the second. Small would escape in the third period and added a point for riding time to tie the match up at 2. In the second sudden victory period, Mayes took Small to his back for two points and a three-point nearfall to win over his Kent State counterpart. Both grapplers shared the No. 4 spot in the most recent MAC rankings at 141 pounds.
Juniors Drake Houdashelt, Johnny Eblen and Devin Mellon all added major decisions to put the dual out of reach. Houdashelt nearly recorded a technical fall over Michael DePalma after a nine-point third period, winning 15-2. Eblen held Cory Campbell scoreless in an 8-0 win, his 20th win of the season. And Mellon closed the door on the Golden Flashes with a 12-1 win over Mimmo Lytle.
The Tigers end the regular season with a 10-2 record and a 7-1 mark in MAC Conference action. It's the 13th consecutive winning season for Brian Smith and Tiger Style wrestling, and the win was Smith's 199th as Mizzou's head coach. Smith picked up his 200th career win last weekend against Old Dominion.
RESULTS vs. Kent State
125 - Barlow McGhee (MIZZ) decision over Del Vinas (KSU), 3-1.(3-0 MIZZ)?
133 - Mack McGuire (KSU) decision over Matt Manley (MIZZ), 4-2.(3-3)?
141 - No. 18 Lavion Mayes (MIZZ) decision over Tyler Small (KSU) in SV2, 7-2.(6-3 MIZZ)?
149 - No. 1 Drake Houdashelt (MIZZ) major dec. over Michael DePalma (KSU), 15-2.(10-3 MIZZ)
157 - No. 4 Ian Miller (KSU) decision over No. 18 Joey Lavallee (MIZZ), 3-2.(10-6 MIZZ)?
165 - No. 12 Zach Toal (MIZZ) decision over T.J. Keklak (KSU), 6-2.?(13-6 MIZZ)
174 - Caleb Marsh (KSU) decision over Mikey England (MIZZ), 2-0.?(13-9 MIZZ)
184 - No. 14 Johnny Eblen (MIZZ) major dec. over Cory Campbell (KSU), 8-0.?(17-9 MIZZ)
197 - No. 2 J'den Cox (MIZZ) decision over Cole Baxter (KSU), 5-0.?(20-9 MIZZ)
HWT - Devin Mellon (MIZZ) major dec. over Mimmo Lytle (KSU), 12-1.(24-9 MIZZ)
WHAT'S NEXT: Following Mizzou's 24-9 win in the season finale, the squad will have a few weeks off to prepare before returning to Kent State for the 2014 MAC Championships on March 8-9. The Tigers will then close out the 2013-14 campaign at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla., on March 20-22.
Northern Illinois:
Huskies Rally for 20-14 Win at Buffalo; NIU claims six of final seven matches against Bulls
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Despite facing an early 11-0 deficit, the Northern Illinois University wrestling team battled back Sunday afternoon to earn a 20-14 victory over Buffalo. After spotting the Bulls (3-17, 0-8 MAC) the first three matches of the day, the Huskies (7-11, 2-6 MAC) won six of the remaining seven bouts to end the regular season with a victory.
"The dual started slow and then we were able to right the shop from 149 on up," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "Andrew Morse ground out a great win over a guy who tried hard to slow it down. (Sam) Bennett's tech fall was huge for the team and Billy Chancey showed his grit in a big win at 174. Shawn Scott wrestled a dominant match over a tough opponent who has several nice wins."
UB got on the board first when Nick Harrison dropped an 11-1 major decision to 2013 NCAA qualifier Max Soria to give the Bulls a quick 4-0 lead. The hosts boosted their lead to seven, as Derek Elmore lost a tight 7-5 decision at the hands of Justin Farmer at 133 pounds.
At 141, Tyler Argue suffered an 11-3 loss against Nick Flannery to give UB their largest lead of the dual at 11-0. The Huskies' fortunes would slowly turn in their favor, beginning with Rob Jillard's close 6-4 victory against Ryan Todora.
Andrew Morse brought NIU to within five points, as he earned his 21st victory of the year in a 6-2 decision against Wally Maziarz at 157 pounds. Sam Bennett knotted the dual at 11-11 with a dominating 15-0 technical fall of Jake Campana.
Billy Chancey gave NIU its first lead of the day with a low-scoring 2-1 win at 174 against Rrok Ndokaj. Yet, the Bulls put a stop to the Huskies' run and tied the dual at 14-14 when Caleb Busson lost to Tony Lock, 3-1.
With two matches left in a dealocked dual, NIU seized control when Shawn Scott topped Angelo Malvestuto in a 6-1 decision at 197. However, Buffalo still had a chance to tie the dual and win on criteria, Jared Torrence closed the door on that possibility by earning a 7-4 win against James Benjamin.
The Huskies open postseason play in just under two weeks, as they head to Kent, Ohio, for the 2014 Mid-American Conference Championships. The tournament starts Saturday, March 8, and runs through Sunday, March 9, inside Kent State's M.A.C. Center.
NIU 20, Buffalo 14
125: Max Soria (UB) maj. dec. Nick Harrison (NIU), 11-1
133: Justin Farmer (UB) dec. Derek Elmore (NIU), 7-5
141: Nick Flannery (UB) maj. dec. Tyler Argue (NIU), 11-3
149: Rob Jillard (NIU) dec. Ryan Todora (UB), 6-4
157: Andrew Morse (NIU) dec. Wally Maziarz (UB), 6-2
165: Sam Bennett (NIU) tech. fall Jake Campana (UB), 15-0
174: Billy Chancey (NIU) dec. Rrok Ndokaj (UB), 2-1
184: Tony Lock (UB) dec. Caleb Busson (NIU), 3-1
197: Shawn Scott (NIU) dec. Angelo Malvestuto (UB), 6-1
285: Jared Torrence (NIU) dec. James Benjamin (UB), 7-4
Northern Iowa:
Wrestling Stays Perfect With 21-19 Win Over ODU
NORFOLK, Va. – UNI became the only wrestling team to finish the season undefeated (13-0) in Division I with a 21-19 win over Old Dominion. Four Panthers won their matches, with three earning falls. It all came down to the final match at heavyweight. It was up to Blaize Cabell to overcome the 19-18 edge ODU earned with wins at 141, 149, 157, 184 and 197 pounds.
An escape and two takedowns gave Cabell the 5-1 lead. Cabell went on to get the 7-4 decision to seal UNI’s perfect season.
Brandon Jeske of ODU struck first in the 125-pound match with a takedown, but Dylan Peters countered with a reversal and earned a point for locked hands to go up 3-2 in the first. Peters gave up the escape to end the first period in a 3-3 tie. Another escape early in the second put Jeske up 4-3, but Peters got his fall in 4 minutes, 47 seconds.
Joe Colon (133 pounds) is the nation’s leader in tech falls. He dominated his match against Michael Hayes, going up 14-1 before getting the fall in 6:12.
Joey Lazor (141 pounds) pulled within one point of No. 4 Chris Mecate, but Lazor was not awarded back points after an official review and lost 9-8. The Panthers would go on to lose the next two, pulling UNI within two team points (12-10).
It was Cooper Moore who got UNI back on the board, pinning Devin Geoghegan, an Iowa Central Community College transfer who won the junior college regionals in 2012-13. Moore (165 pounds) got an early takedown in the first period to go up 2-0. From there, he continued to dominate, going up 12-4 before he earned a fall in 6:38.
Just like UNI, this is Old Dominion’s first full MAC season. The Monarchs are now 4-4 in the MAC, while UNI improves to 7-0.
FINAL RESULTS
125 – No. 6 Dylan Peters (UNI) fall Brandon Jeske (ODU), 4:47
133 – No. 1 Joe Colon (UNI) fall Michael Hayes (ODU), 6:12
141 – No. 4 Chris Mecate (ODU) dec. No. 20 Joey Lazor (UNI), 10-8
149 – Alexander Richardson (ODU) dec. Tyler Patten (UNI), 7-4
157 – Tristan Warner (ODU) maj. dec. Jarrett Jensen (UNI), 9-0
165 – No. 11 Cooper Moore (UNI) fall Devin Geoghegan (ODU), 6:38
174 – No. 19 Billy Curling (ODU) dec. Cody Caldwell (UNI), 9-6
184 – Jack DeChow (ODU) dec. No 5 Ryan Loder (UNI), 5-4
197 – Kevin Beazley (ODU) dec. Basil Minto (UNI), 5-3
285 – Blaize Cabell (UNI) dec. Matt Tourdot (ODU), 7-4
Ohio:
Ohio Sweeps Past Gardner-Webb and Cleveland State; Bobcats finish the year 6-2 at home
ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio University wrestling team (13-4, 4-4) posted a pair of victories against Gardner-Webb and Cleveland State on Sunday afternoon in the Convocation Center.
Six Bobcats recorded victories in both of the day's duals. In addition, Ohio finished the year with a 6-2 record at home with the win.
Ohio 37, Gardner-Webb 6
Ohio took a strong lead against Gardner-Webb, with Senior Ryan Garringer (Downers Grove, Ill.) earning a major decision victory (13-2) over Zach Bennett at 185.
Sophomore No. 9 Phil Wellington (Euclid, Ohio) at 197 and senior heavyweight Jeremy Johnson (Broadview Heights, Ohio) continued the `Cats momentum, earning falls at 2:40 and 3:32, respectively.
Sophomore KeVon Powell earned posted a 2-1 decision victory for the Bobcats before an Ohio forfeit at 133 earned Gardner-Webb six points.
The Bobcats continued to post triumphs at 141 and 149. Sophomore Spartak Chino (Wheaton, Ill.) recorded a fall at 157, followed by a decision victory by junior Harrison Hightower (Strongsville, Ohio) at 165.
A 11-6 win by Marshal Willet (Broadview Heights, Ohio) finished out the 37-6 Bobcat victory.
Ohio 20 Cleveland State 19
Cleveland State's Xavier Dye tallied the first points against the Bobcats on the day, earning a 13-4 major decision win over Garringer.
Wellington responded for the `Cats with a major decision victory (14-4) over Ray Stone, earning his 10th-consecutive win.
Johnson finished out the regular season undefeated in dual competition with a decision victory over Riley Shaw. This marks Johnson's 12th-consecutive win, improving his team-best record to 33-4
Powell earned his fourth-consecutive triumph with a 12-7 decision at 125, bringing the Ohio lead to 10-4. With a forfeit at 133, Cleveland State tied the score at 10-10 heading into 141.
Freshmen Noah Forrider (Marysville, Ohio) posted a 6-4 victory in overtime to grasp an Ohio lead at 141, followed by decision wins by Claxton at 149 and Chino at 157.
A pin by Matt Donohoe against Hightower brought Ohio's lead over CSU to a narrow 19-16. Nick Corba closed the gap for CSU with a 3-2 decision over Willet, tying the overall score at 19-19. An extra point was awarded to Ohio for winning more overall matches, solidifying a 20-19 win.
Ohio will travel to Kent, Ohio to take part in the Mid-American Conference Championship March 8 and 9.
FINAL RESULTS- Ohio 37, Gardner-Webb 6
184 - Ryan Garringer (11-17) 13, Zach Bennett (0-7) 2, major decision - Ohio 4, GWU 0
197 - No. 9 Phil Wellington (29-3), Boyce Cornwell (8-12), Fall 2:40 - Ohio 10, GWU 0
HWT - Jeremy Johnson (32-4), Justin Kozera, (11-16), Fall 3:32 - Ohio 16, GWU 0
125 - KeVon Powell (12-11) 2, Cortez Starkes (10-10) 1, dec. - Ohio 19, GWU 0
133 - Forfeit , Ohio 19, GWU 6
141 - Noah Forrider (22-14) 3, Ryan Mosley (11-12) 2, dec. - Ohio 22, GWU 6
149 - No. 16 Tywan Claxton (23-6) 8, Tyler Ziegler (6-17) 1, dec. - Ohio 25, GWU 6
157 - Spartak Chino (16-10), Cole Graves (1-7), Fall 6:48 - Ohio 31, GWU 6
165 - Harrison Hightower (29-9) 8, No. 20 Austin Trott (23-4) 3 - Ohio 34, GWU 6
174 - Marshal Willet (4-8) 11, Aaron Robin (0-14) 6, dec. - Ohio 37, GWU 6
FINAL RESULTS - Ohio 20, Cleveland State 19
184 - Xavier Dye 13, Ryan Garringer (11-18) 4, major dec. - Ohio 0, CSU 4
197 - No. 9 Phil Wellington (30-3) 14, Ray Stone 4, major dec. Ohio 4, CSU 4
HWT - No. 11 Jeremy Johnson (33-4) 3, Riley Shaw 1, dec. Ohio 7, CSU 4
125 - KeVon Powell (13-11) 12, John Martin 7, dec. - Ohio 10, CSU 4
133 - Forfeit, Ohio 10, CSU 10
141 - Noah Forrider (13-14) 6, Jared McKinley 4, dec. - Ohio 13, CSU 10
149 - No. 16 Tywan Claxton (24-6) 6, Nick Montgomery 2, dec. - Ohio 16, CSU 10
157 - Spartak Chino (17-10) 9, R.J. LaBeef () 5, dec. - Ohio 19, CSU 10
165 - Matt Donohoe, Harrison Hightower (29-10), Fall 1:19 - Ohio 19, CSU 16
174 - Nick Corba 3, Marshal Willet (4-9) 2, dec. - Ohio 19, CSU 19
**Extra point awarded to Ohio. Ohio 20, CSU 19
Old Dominion:
Jack Dechow Beats Returning All-American No. 5 Loder, ODU Falls 21-19
NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion wrestling team came away with six individual wins against No. 5 Northern Iowa (13-0, 7-0), but the Monarchs came up short 21-19 Sunday afternoon from the Ted Constant Center.
Old Dominion (8-10, 4-4 MAC) wrestlers No. 4-ranked Mecate (141) beat No. 20-ranked Joey Lazor, No. 14-ranked Alexander Richardson (149) picked up his 11th win in his last 12 matches, Tristan Warner (157) did not let up a point in his major decision victory, No. 19-ranked Billy Curling (174) won his seventh match in a row, Jack Dechow (184) beat a returning All-American and Kevin Beazley (197) gave the Monarchs the team lead after winning for the 16th time this year.
ODU trailed early 12-0, but started the slow effort comeback at 141 pounds when Mecate delivered a 10-8 decision win against UNI's No. 20-ranked Joey Lazor. During the match Mecate recorded a takedown and near fall to control the match. He would earn riding time to secure the victory. Mecate improves his record to 25-6 on the year, 7-1 in the MAC and has won eight of his last nine matches.
At 149 pounds, Alexander Richardson finished the second period with a reversal to give him a 2-0 lead on UNI's Tyler Patten. Richardson delivered a near fall and takedown to come away with a 7-4 decision win, which allowed ODU to trim the UNI lead to 12-6. Richardson improves to 23-7 on the year and has won 11 of his last 12 matches (only loss to Missouri's No. 1-ranked Drake Houdashelt).
"The only one I have lost to these last few matches is to the No. 1 kid in the nation," said Richardson, "and I know I'm right there with him. I just have to keep doing what I have been doing."
Old Dominion's 157-pounder Tristan Warner came away with a major decision 9-0 win against Jarrett Jensen. Warner came out fast with a takedown and a 3-point near fall to deliver an early lead. He followed that up with a takedown in the third to earn riding time and win his sixth match in his last seven bouts. Warner finishes 6-2 in the MAC this season.
ODU's No. 19-ranked Billy Curling (174) came out strong with a takedown and led UNI's top-20 ranked Cody Caldwell by a 6-5 score heading into the third period. Curling finished with a third period takedown to earn him the 9-6 decision win. Curling has won his last seven matches and finishes 7-1 in the MAC.
Monarchs 184-pounder Jack Dechow delivered the match of the day with a 5-4 win against UNI's returning All-American and No. 5-ranked Ryan Loder. Dechow quickly got on the board with a takedown in the second period and led Loder 3-1 heading into the third. Halfway into the third period Dechow delivered one decisive takedown to hand Loder his first loss of the season. Dechow is 14-4 and finishes 5-1 in the MAC this year. ODU trailed by just 18-16 afterwards.
"Last week set the tone for this week," said Dechow. "Coach Dolly switched up my style and we took a step back and had to realize the mistakes I was making and get back to something I can use that can beat him, and that's what we did. I have to beat him again going into the MAC and at Nationals so it is a building block mentally."
Kevin Beazley gave the Monarchs the team lead at 19-18 after his 5-3 decision win against UNI's Basil Minto. Beazley got on the board with a takedown in the first period and earned riding time to secure his 16th win of the year.
ODU returns to competition in the MAC Tournament on March 8 in Kent, Ohio.
"Competing in the MAC will give you so many spots you can qualify in the national tournament and I believe the MAC is the second toughest conference in the country," said ODU Head Coach Steve Martin. "We are going to have several opportunities at the MAC tournament for guys that have had great seasons."
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Northern Iowa 21, Old Dominion 19
125- #5 Dylan Peters (UNI) fall Brandon Jeske (ODU), 4:47: UNI leads 6-0
133- #1 Joe Colon (UNI) fall Michael Hayes (ODU), 6:12: UNI leads 12-0
141- #4 Chris Mecate (ODU) dec. #20 Joey Lazor (UNI), 10-8: UNI leads 12-3
149- #14 Alexander Richardson (ODU) dec. Tyler Patten (UNI), 7-4: UNI leads 12-6
157- Tristan Warner (ODU) major dec. Jarrett Jensen (UNI), 9-0: UNI leads 12-10
165- #7 Cooper Moore (UNI) fall Devin Geoghegan (ODU), 6:38: UNI leads 18-10
174- #19 Billy Curling (ODU) dec. Cody Caldwell (UNI), 9-6: UNI leads 18-13
184- Jack Dechow (ODU) dec. #5 Ryan Loder (UNI), 5-4: UNI leads 18-16
197- Kevin Beazley (ODU) dec. Basil Minto (UNI), 5-3: ODU leads 19-18
285- Blaize Cabell (UNI) dec. Matt Tourdot (ODU), 7-4: UNI wins 21-19
