KENT, Ohio -- The Old Dominion wrestling team (4-8, 0-3 MAC) fell to Kent State, 25-13, on the road Sunday afternoon in Kent, Ohio. Picking up wins for the Monarchs and going undefeated on the weekend were Brandon Jeske, Chris Mecate, Alexander Richardson and Jack Dechow.
"Our four national qualifiers had good performances this weekend," head coach Steve Martin said. "Jeske beat two tough kids and put bonus points up today. Mecate is getting back in his rhythm that he had in the first semester and is scoring off leg attacks, which is good to see. Richardson continues to beat good kids, and he found a way to get the job done today against a tough kid who he's wrestled five or six times before. Dechow keeps improving and is getting back to his old form from last year. We still need to get some more wins from our other six guys in close matches, though."
Brandon Jeske improved his winning streak to seven with a dominant 11-1 major decision over Kent State's Del Vinas to begin the dual meet. The junior from Virginia Beach used a takedown and four nearfall points to go up 6-1 after two periods and earned another takedown and a riding time point in the third period to clinch the bonus point victory for ODU.
After Kent State's Mack McGuire received a forfeit at 133 to put the Golden Flashes up 6-4, All-American Chris Mecate pulled out a 3-1 OT win over Anthony Tutolo at 141. Tutolo successfully fought off multiple takedown attempts by Mecate in regulation, but the senior from Highland, California executed a shot in sudden victory to put the Monarchs in front, 7-6.
In a chippy bout at 149, No. 8 Alexander Richardson defeated Kent State's Mike DePalma, 4-2 OT, to give the Monarchs their second consecutive sudden victory decision. Kent State's second-ranked Ian Miller responded at 157 with a 14-0 major decision over Austin Eads to tie the dual meet, 10-10.
The Golden Flashes went up 16-10 after Tyler Buckwalter held on to a narrow 5-4 decision over Seldon Wright at 165 with a riding time point accounting for the difference and Jairod James picked up a 3-2 win over ODU's Brooks Climmons at 174.
At 184, fifth-ranked Jack Dechow put three points on the board for Old Dominion, as the redshirt junior from Richmond, Illinois outlasted Cole Baxter, 4-1, but Kyle Conel defeated Austin Coburn, 10-4, at 197 to put the dual out of reach.
"We have a great opportunity to wrestle Missouri, a top-five team, this upcoming weekend," Martin continued. "All 10 guys will have a chance to make a name for themselves in that match. The dual meet losses have been frustrating for the team and the coaches, but the past is the past, and it's time to get back in the practice room and start improving. Our main focus is the NCAA Championships at Madison Square Garden, and we still have five weeks to get our guys ready."
No. 22 Kent State 25, Old Dominion 13
125: Brandon Jeske (ODU) maj. Del Vinas (KENT), 11-1
133: #10 Mack McGuire (KENT) won by forfeit
141: #12 Chris Mecate (ODU) dec. Anthony Tutolo (KENT), 3-1 OT
149: #8 Alexander Richardson (ODU) dec. Mike DePalma (KENT), 4-2 OT
157: #2 Ian Miller (KENT) maj. Austin Eads (ODU), 14-0
165: Tyler Buckwalter (KENT) dec. Seldon Wright (ODU), 5-4
174: Jairod James (KENT) dec. Brooks Climmons (ODU), 3-2
184: #5 Jack Dechow (ODU) dec. Cole Baxter (KENT), 4-1
197: #16 Kyle Conel (KENT) dec. Austin Coburn (ODU), 10-4
285: Devin Nye (KENT) pin Andrew Snyder (ODU) 3:25
NEXT UP
ODU continues its stretch of MAC road matches next Sunday, Jan. 31 when the Monarchs travel to take on No. 4 Missouri at 2 p.m.
VOUCHER BOOKS
Take advantage of the great offer to attend ODU wrestling matches through the ODU Wrestling Season Ticket Voucher Book available online here. Voucher books can also be purchased at the gate prior to any home event. Each voucher book contains 12 vouchers. These vouchers are good for any regular season ODU home wrestling match during the 2015-2016 season.
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