The theme of the weekend for the Kent State wrestling team was inconsistency.

The Flashes had plenty of close matches, some of which went their way and some of which did not, with the exception of the first dual.

The team started the weekend with a dual against a Missouri squad that ranks fourth in the country and includes six wrestlers ranked in the top twenty of their respective weight classes. The Flashes fell to the Tigers 44-3 in a dual that included four pins. Junior Devin Nye took home the lone victory for the Flashes in a 4-2 decision against Rodrigo Diaz at the 285-pound weight class.

The Flashes bounced back later that day in their dual against Columbia. The Flashes won seven of 10 matches en route to a 25-12 win. Junior Kyle Conel led the way with a 19-7 major decision against Michael Bulkin at the 197-pound weight class.

Junior Anthony Tutolo added a 9-7 victory against Christopher Scorese at the 133-pound weight class, and freshman Colin McCracken also grabbed a 3-2 victory over Andrew Psomas at the 184-pound weight class.

The Flashes ended their first day at 1-1 thanks to a strong finish.

They opened the next day with a dual against no. 12 Cornell.

The Flashes fell to the Big Red, 27-7, in a dual that was much closer than the final score indicated. The Flashes won two matches: Senior Will Bardezbain won by forfeit at the 125-pound weight class, and Tutolo pulled out a 6-2 win against Charles Tucker.

The team lost the rest of its matches; however, four of the eight losses were by two or less points. The Flashes often led heading into the third period but were unable to hang on for the win.

The Flashes showed some resiliency though as they bounced back in their final dual of the weekend against SIU-Edwardsville.

Kent State dominated the Cougars, 31-3, winning nine of the 10 matches.

Tutolo led the way with a 22-7 tech fall of Joe Antonelli. Junior Casey Sparkman followed suit with an 18-7 major decision over Karsten Van Velsor at the 157-pound weight class. McCracken also added an 8-0 major decision win against Jake Godinez.

The Flashes continue their season Jan. 12-13 at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia, inside the Hampton Coliseum.

Ian Kreider is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].