The Kent State wrestling team came up short, losing 18-16, during its senior night meet against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday evening.

Despite the loss, the Flashes still put up a hard fight. 

Junior 197-pounder Blake Schaffer earned a 14-3 victory by major decision. This was the team’s biggest win of the night.

Schaffer’s win follows his 4th place finish at the Franklin and Marshall Open Jan. 10. 

Graduate student 141-pounder Jordan Decatur had a successful 11-5 win by decision. Redshirt freshmen 149-pounder Nathan Roth, 184-pounder Carson Miller and 285-pounder Brentan Simmerman also secured KSU wins by decision. 

As a team, the Flashes currently have an overall record of 1-9 while they are 0-3 for Mid-American Conference meets. The team has lost seven matches in a row.

At this time last season, the Flashes stood with an overall record of 2-12 and a conference record of 0-2.

Kent State will be on the road for the remainder of its meets this season with its first stop in Lock Haven, Pa. for a conference meet against Lock Haven University Friday. The two teams have not wrestled each other since 2019 when Kent took a 26-15 loss. 

The duals continue Jan. 26 in Brooklyn, as the Flashes take on Long Island University and Clarion. Last season, the Flashes defeated LIU 26-7, winning six matches in a row; however, they were unsuccessful during MAC play against Clarion recording a 24-10 loss. 

Kailyn Tibolla is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].