Wrestling struggles in loss to Ohio

Sunday proved to be a tough day for Kent State wrestling, as the Flashes (2-9, 0-3 MAC) were dominated by Ohio University (6-4, 4-2 MAC) to a tune of a 43-2 final score.

The Flashes’ only victory came by 157-pound junior Casey Sparkman.

Sparkman scored a takedown against Ohio’s Cullen Cummings within the first minute of the period. Cummings was able to fight back in the second period, and eventually get it tied up at two headed into the third period. Sparkman was able to get out from bottom and get the advantage over Cummings in the third period, and eventually was able to win by a final score of 3-2.

“I just tried to stay in good position and not give anything up and I kind of got out of my own match and didn’t wrestle my style,” Sparkman said. “I wasn’t too happy with everything that I did.”

Kent State suffered a hear-breaker in the 149 pound class, as the Flashes’ Tim Rooney was beat out by Ohio’s Kade Kowalski in a match-deciding riding time point that gave him a 3-2 victory.

Reigning MAC scholar of the week, Chance Driscoll, was shutout 6-0 by Ohio’s Noah Forrider, but that didn’t dampen the shine of him winning the award.

“I didn’t really expect it, but it was nice,” Driscoll said in regards to winning MAC scholar of the week. “It’s something that, regardless of what happens this year, you can’t take it away from me at the end of the year, and that’s pretty cool.”

Kent’s Jairod James was winning his match against Arsen Ashughyan in the 174 weight class by a score of 6-4 at the end of the third period, but the victory was snatched away from him after he was called by flagrant misconduct, causing to secure a backbreaking win for Ohio.

“I’m embarrassed by what happened as a coach with the 174 pounder,” coach Jim Andrassy said. “There are some things we did well, but they did them a lot better. We’ve got a young team. We’ve been saying it all year and it comes to a point when you have to spot complaining about being a young team and just getting out there and competing.”

The win was Ohio’s first win in the MAC center since 2005.

The Flashes will face Northern Illinois University this Friday at 7 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center.