Feb. 8, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio's Clay Tucker won his sixth straight dual bout and third straight MAC match-up when he defeated Kent State's Sli Bostelman 7-1 on Friday night at the Convocation Center. Tucker's victory was the lone highlight for the `Cats however, as No. 21 Kent State toppled the Bobcats 33-3.

Tucker was the last match of the day as the action began with the 165 pound bout of Kent State's #14 ranked Kurt Gross taking on Ohio's Kent Smith. Gross defeated Smith 12-4 in the opening round and recorded the first of Kent State's three straight major decision victories to begin the Golden Flashes' second conference dual.

Ohio's Ryan Knapp fell to KSU's Chris Estep 8-0 at 174 pounds and Erik Schuth fell to the Golden Flashes' Eric Chine 9-1 at 184 pounds.

Chris Iammarino battled strong in his bout at 197 pounds, taking KSU's Michael Blackwell to overtime but was taken down quickly in the extra period and fell in sudden victory 6-4.

Jason Marshall was looking for his second dual victory of the season but KSU's massive No. 13 ranked heavyweight, Jermail Porter stood in the way. Marshall, who gave up at least six inches in height to Porter stayed competitive throughout but lost 3-1 to the nationally ranked junior from Kent State.

The only non-decision of major decision occurred at 125 pounds where Ohio's Heath Allen suffered another defeat, this time being pinned by KSU's Nic Bedelyon in 3:23.

In the following bout at 133 pounds, Quentin Keyes hung tough with KSU's No. 20 ranked Dan Mitcheff but was defeated by an 8-3 decision.

Germane Lindsey gave the loud crowd at the Convocation Center something to cheer about as his bout with Kent State's No. 18 ranked Drew Lashaway was the most exciting of the night. Down one point with time ticking away in the third and final period, Lindsey attempted shot after shot trying to earn a takedown and secure a victory. Lashaway stayed on the defensive and the referee cautioned him for stalling with just more than 10 seconds remaining and finally awarded Lindsey the match-tying point for stalling on KSU as time expired on the match. In overtime, however, Lindsey attempted another shot that was absorbed and reversed by Lashaway who took Lindsey to the ground for the sudden victory, 6-4.

Kevin Christensen was up next for the Bobcats, who were still without any team points in the second to last match of the night. Christensen, however, would not be able to get on the board in his own match and was defeated 6-0 by KSU's Clint Sponseller. It was the second Sponseller to wrestle at the Convocation Center this season, as his young brother Colt Sponseller, a freshman on the Ohio State wrestling team, competed in just his second match of the season at the Ohio Duals on Dec. 16. Colt is now ranked No. 8 in the nation at 165 pounds with an undefeated 14-0 record.

Tucker, last up for the `Cats and the last hope for points, came through for both his team and his own winning streak, jumping out to a quick lead in his bout at 157 pounds and beating his opponent 7-1.

Ohio will play host to both West Virginia and North Carolina next Friday at the Convocation Center with dual meets scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. 

# 21 Kent State 33, Ohio 3

125: Nic Bedylon (KSU) pins Heath Allen (OU) in 3:23                   

133: #20 Dan Mitcheff (KSU) dec. Quentin Keyes (OU), 8-3          

141: #18 Drew Lashaway (KSU) dec. Germane Lindsey (OU), 6-4 (OT)

149: Clint Sponseller (KSU) dec. Kevin Christensen (OU), 6-0       

157: Clay Tucker (OU) dec. Sli Bostelman (KSU), 7-1                       

165: #14 Kurt Gross (KSU) maj. dec. Kent Smith (OU), 12-4         

174: Chris Estep (KSU) maj. dec. Ryan Knapp (OU), 9-0

184: Eric Chine (KSU) maj. dec. Erik Schuth (OU), 9-1

197: Michael Blackwell (KSU) dec. Chris Iammarino (OU), 7-5 (OT)

HWT:#13 Jermail Porter (26-8) dec. Jason Marshall (OU), 3-1

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Joe Waltasti is the wrestling contact for the Ohio Media Relations department. He can be reached via email at waltasti@ohio.edu.