McNalley, Rooney highlight final stretch of regular season

Sophomore Tim Rooney grapples with a Central Michigan wrestler during his match Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. The Flashes won with a 21-13 upset over the Chippewas, who entered the match ranked second in the Mid-American Conference. 

When Kyle Conel announced in December he would undergo a surgery that would end his season, it quickly became a rebuilding season for the Flashes. After finishing a surprising 13-9 last season with Conel as Kent State’s first unseeded all-American, the Flashes came into the season looking to build on last season’s success, something that hasn’t really come to fruition this season.

That said, while the Flashes may sit at 6-10 this season, it hasn’t been without some bright spots. Sophomore Andrew McNally sits at 21-5 with an 8-3 record at duals while recording 10 victories via fall and six via major decision. He tallied his 12th pin of the season on Saturday against Lock Haven.

Junior Tim Rooney also put together a solid campaign for the Flashes with a 17-7 record. Rooney won the 133-pound title at the Cougar Clash earlier in the year, and also finished 5-1 at the Navy Classic.

Of the six matchups the Flashes have remaining, four of them are MAC contests. The Flashes take on Ohio on Friday before facing off against Buffalo (Jan. 26), Central Michigan (Feb. 10) and Northern Illinois (Feb. 15). The Flashes also face off against Cleveland State and Binghamton.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].