Kilgore's first period pin of Erich Smith gave the Flashes a commanding 21-9 lead over Michigan. Kilgore (12-0) needed two minutes to chase down Smith for the opening takedown, before showing his home crowd why he's ranked second in the nation. He quickly crunched Smith into a tight cradle and rocked him back to end the match at 2:26.
"He's real powerful, goes right at you and doesn't quit" Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of Kilgore. "He's got a series of moves where if one doesn't work he goes right to next one."
Following Kilgore, redshirt freshman Adam Cogar (197) used seven takedowns in a 15-6 major decision over Hunter Collins. Redshirt sophomore Brendan Barlow (285) helped KSU finish the day with three straight wins in his 5-3 decision over Ben Apland. Barlow improved to 15-3, while Cogar moved to 11-3.
Sophomore Troy Opfer suffered 3-1 setback to Sean Boyle to give the Wolverines their only lead (3-0) of the dual. Boyle grabbed an escape and a takedown in the second period and held on for the win.
In a battle of nationally ranked wrestlers, senior Danny Mitcheff remained unbeaten (12-0) with a 10-5 decision over Zac Stevens. Mitcheff recorded an opening period takedown, but found himself in a brief 4-2 hole in the second. However, the fifth year senior stayed aggressive, taking all the shots, while notching takedowns in the second and third periods.
"Danny's not always flashy, but he's so consistent," Andrassy said. "He wins and he'll continue to win throughout the season."
Redshirt freshman Chase Skonieczny (141) topped Mark Weber 2-0 to give KSU its first lead 6-3. After a scoreless first, Skonieczny earned a quick second period escape and used an effective leg ride in the third to earn a bonus point and improve to 11-5 on the year.
"Chase has done some incredible things in the practice room, but he still hasn't opened up and shown a lot yet," Andrassy said. "He's only going to get better."
Junior Matt Cathell (149) brought the crowd to its feet with a second period pin of Mark Beaudry. Beaudry got in deep on a double leg shot, but a fearless Cathell caught him off-balance, flung him to his back and flattened him.
"He's exciting and entertaining for these fans," Andrassy said. "Half the time you don't know what he's going to do. There isn't a normal thing about the way he wrestles and that's what makes him so hard to wrestle against."
Redshirt freshman Mallie Shuster (157) made it four consecutive KSU wins with a 7-4 victory over Dave Johnson. The match was tied 2-2 heading into to the third, when Shuster scored an escape and a pair of takedowns.
"As soon as he realizes how good he is, he's going to be very dangerous," Andrassy said of Shuster.
Aaron Hynes needed a takedown with 30 seconds remaining to edge redshirt sophomore Ross Tice 7-5. Tice got in on the legs of Hynes on a pair of third period shots, but could not finish it off.
No. 15 Justin Zeerip handed redshirt freshman Keith Witt a 7-1 loss at 174 to narrow margin to 15-9, before Kilgore took over.
Prior to a 22-13 Michigan win over Newberry, the Golden Flashes won 8-of-10 matches against Newberry and four straight major decisions beginning with Mitcheff at 133.
Opfer dropped the day's opening match 7-6 in sudden victory to Matt Oliver. A first period takedown and cradle in the second gave Opfer a 5-0 lead, but Oliver, who is ranked third in Division II, used a five-point move late in the second to tie match. After no scoring in the third period or first overtime, Oliver scored a reversal and hung on for the win.
Mitcheff cruised to a 13-3 win over Sheridan Moran, claiming four takedowns, including one in each period. Mitcheff used a three-point tilt in the third period to secure the major decision.
Skonieczny followed with a major decision over Deral Brown 12-4. Skonieczny jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the second period, putting Brown on his back twice and gave the Flashes an 8-3 team lead.
Cathell made it three straight major decisions with a 12-2 victory over Latra Collick. Cathell rallied for eight first period points after giving up the opening takedown. He put Collick on his back three separate times to extend KSU's lead to 12-3.
Shuster then blanked Mike Rogers 11-0, scoring takedowns in all three periods. He improved to 10-3 on the year.
Senior Obie Simpson scored the most exciting victory of the Flashes' first dual. Trailing Josh Whitelock 4-3 with 20 seconds left in the match, he turned a front headlock from the neutral position into a 5-point cradle to give him an 8-4 victory.
With his team already up 19-3, Witt raced out to a 5-0 lead and settled for a 9-2 decision over Curtis Chenoweth.
After a wild first period in the 184-pound match, Kilgore used a cradle to pin Bryant Blanton with 11 seconds remaining in the second. Kilgore overcame a 5-2 deficit and led 8-6 by the end of the first against the No. 3 ranked wrestler in Division II.
Newberry returned the favor when defending national champion Keeno Griffin pinned Cogar 32 seconds into the first period.
Barlow closed out the dual with the Flashes' fifth major decision against Newberry, a 12-4 victory over Steven Butler.
For Witt, Cathell and Skonieczny, it was their first dual win in a Kent State singlet. Mitcheff is now alone sixth place on KSU's career victory list with 109. Sunday's win marked the Flashes' first dual victory in school history against Michigan.
The Golden Flashes return to action Sunday, Dec. 20 for a dual meet at Clarion.
Kent State (3-0) 32
Newberry (4-2) 9
125: Matt Oliver (N) dec. Troy Opfer, 7-6 (OT); 0-3
133: #5 Danny Mitcheff (KS) maj. dec. Sheridan Moran, 13-3; 4-3
141: Chase Skonieczny, (KS) maj. dec. Deral Brown 12-4; 8-3
149: #9 Matt Cathll (KS) maj. dec. Latra Collick, 12-2; 12-3
157: Mallie Shuster (KS) maj. dec. Mike Rogers, 11-0; 16-3
165: Obie Simpson (KS) dec. Josh Whitelock, 8-4; 19-3
174: Keith Witt (KS) dec. Curtis Chenoweth, 9-2; 22-3
184: #2 Dustin Kilgore (KS) pinned Bryant Blanton, 4: 49; 28-3
197: Keeno Griffin(N) pinned Adam Cogar, :32; 28-9
285: #15 Brendan Barlow (KS) maj. dec. Steven Butler, 12-4; 32-9
Michigan (2-3) 22
Newberry (4-3) 13
125: Sean Boyle (M) dec. Matt Oliver, 6-3; 3-0
133: Zac Stevens (M) dec. Sheridan Moran, 9-3; 6-0
141: Deral Brown (N) dec. Mark Weber, 2-1; 6-3
149: Latra Collick (N) maj. dec. Mark Beaudry, 18-6; 6-7
157: Dave Johnson (M) dec. Mike Rogers, 4-0; 9-7
165: Aaron Hynes (M) maj. dec. Josh Whitelock, 16-4; 13-7
174: Justin Zeerip (M) pinned Curtis Chenoweth, 3:39; 19-7
184: Bryant Blanton (N) dec. Hunter Collins, 12-11; 19-10
197: Keeno Griffin (N) dec. Erich Smith, 3-1 (OT); 19-13
285: Ben Apland (M) dec. Steven Butler, 7-1; 22-13
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