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Kent State’s Drew Lashaway takes down Eastern Michigan’s Zach Donofrio in the 141-pound division. Lashaway won 12-7.

STEPHANIE DEVER | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: DKS Editors

In Thursday night’s dual meet against Eastern Michigan the Flashes proved that there is still no Mid-American Conference opponent that can out-wrestle them.

In true form to what has seemingly become a staple of the program, the Flashes started off on the right foot to start the meet. Coach Jim Andrassy noted that the Flashes didn’t wrestle to their potential but did what they needed to to get the win.

“We wrestled all right,” Andrassy said. “Our guys stayed in there and did what they needed to do to win matches. We got through their initial wave of energy.”

141-pound junior Drew Lashaway jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a takedown late in the first period. He never trailed in the match, despite having a recurring bloody nose throughout the bout. The final score was 12-7, putting the Flashes ahead 3-0.

Following Lashaway was 149-pound junior Clint Sponseller. Sponseller pushed the Kent State team lead to 6-0 with a 9-5 victory.

Eastern Michigan would pull the match to within two points when 157-pound senior Cory Mancuso defeated Kent State sophomore Sli Bostelman 12-3. The win was a major decision and pulled the overall score to 6-4.

However, 165-pound senior Kurt Gross would answer Mancuso’s major decision with one of his own.

The match remained close until the third period, when Gross outscored Brandel 8-1 to win by a final of 14-3.

Eastern Michigan would not win another match, as Kent State went on a five-match win streak to end the meet. The Eagles actually lost a team point in the process.

The Flashes will now prepare for their final regular season match of the year against Central Michigan. Central Michigan is the highest ranked opponent Kent State has faced this year.

Contact sports reporter Chris Gates

at [email protected].