Wrestling suffers two losses over weekend

Sophomore Devin Nye battles back and forth across the mat with his opponent from Eastern Michigan University Sunday Feb. 5, 2017. Kent would lose 12-27 against Michigan.

The Kent State wrestling team’s struggles continued this weekend, falling to both No. 1 Oklahoma State University and Eastern Michigan University this weekend.

#1 Oklahoma State 36, Kent State 6

Kent State’s Casey Sparkman defeated Oklahoma State’s Davey Dolan at 157 pounds. They were tied 2-2 in the second period before Sparkman had four takedowns in the third for a flashes victory of 11-5. Kent’s only other victory came at 197-pounds when Stephen Suglio beat Oklahoma State’s Derek White 4-2.

“(Suglio) has had a really good streak of matches,” Coach Jim Andrassy said. “I’m really happy with him. Hopefully he can continue to progress because I think he has the ability to get to the MAC tournament.”

Eastern Michigan 27, Kent State 12

The team followed up their loss to the Cowboys with a tough loss to MAC rival Eastern Michigan on Sunday.

“There are matches at 165, 184 and heavyweight that we could have won,” Andrassy said. “If this happens in a different year when we’re winning as a team, winning becomes contagious.”

Suglio beat Eastern Michigan’s Derek Hillman at 197 pounds. Suglio was up 2-0 at the end of the second and recorded an escape and two takedowns in the third period and won by a score of 8-1.

After recovering from an injury, 133-pounder Anthony Tutolo wrestled in his first match against Eastern Michigan’s Armando Torres, winning 4-3.

“I love being back on the mat,” Tutolo said. “It’s really hard to see everyone working hard and you’re trying to work hard on the side and get ready to get back out there and do what you can. I want to get back out there just to help them out and boost their confidence.”

Casey Sparkman defeated Eastern Michigan’s 157-pounder Zac Carson when he pinned Carson at the 2:08 mark, which gave the Flashes a victory.

The Flashes head to Mount Pleasant next Sunday to face Central Michigan University.

Samantha is a sports reporter, contact her at [email protected].