Wrestlers prepare for weekend meets coming off back-to-back wins
Redshirt junior Brendon Fenton wrestles a Cleveland State University wrestler during the meet on Jan. 27, 2022 in Kent, OH. Kent State beat Cleveland State 25-7.
The Kent State wrestling team is taking a two-game winning streak into a weekend that will see it host Mid-American Conference opponents Ohio and Central Michigan.
The Flashes are coming off a 21-16 win over Clarion Sunday and a 25-9 upset victory over MAC East Division favorite Cleveland State on Thursday. Both teams ranked above KSU in the MAC’s January rankings.
Brady Chrisman has beaten two top-ranked wrestlers in the last two meets. Chrisman earned the MAC Wrestler of the Week honor after his wins.
Chrisman knocked off the No. 2 wrestler in the MAC, Cleveland State’s Riley Smucker, at 165 pounds. It was a back-and-forth match where Chrisman ultimately got a takedown in overtime to win 7-5. In his next match on Sunday, Chrisman took down the No. 4 wrestler in the MAC, Clarion’s Cam Pine. He was able to escape and then ride out Pine to secure a 2-0 win.
Jake Ferri (18-7) ended his week with a 6-4 overtime takedown win over Joey Fischer (16-9). Ferri performed a takedown as time expired to tie the score at four, forcing overtime. Ferri is ranked second in the MAC while Fischer is ranked fourth.
Bobby Pryhocki (157) is coming off of two straight wins as well. Pryhocki was able to make quick work of Clarion’s Kyle Schickel with a final score of 9-2. Pryhocki used his strength and endurance to his advantage to work down his opponent and deliver the final blow.
Ohio University will come into Kent on Friday with a record of 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the conference. They are 4-2 in away dual meets. In the Bobcats’ last two meets they delivered a 33-9 beat down of Davidson before losing to Central Michigan 24-10.
One of the most important matchups in the meet will be at 165 pounds where Chrisman takes on Colt Yinger of Ohio, who is ranked No. 3 in the MAC.
Central Michigan is 9-2 overall and 4-0 in the conference, and it has won eight matches in a row since losing to Iowa, which is ranked No. 1 in the country.
CMU’s Dresden Simon is ranked first in the MAC at 141 pounds, and the Chippewas’ Johnny Lovett is ranked first at 157.
Kent State heads into the meets 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the MAC.
Noah Keeney is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].