Sports
Ohio Wrestling Takes Two At Eastern Michigan Duals
By: Josh Gregory
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Two weeks is not long enough for Ohio wrestling to stay out of Michigan. After competing in the Michigan State Open two weeks ago, the Bobcats traveled north again to wrestle in the Eastern Michigan Duals in Ypsilanti.
The Green and White scored 28 points in its victories, downing Lock Haven 28-12 in the first dual and Southern Illinois Edwardsville 28-9 in the third dual match. Sandwiched between two victories, the ‘Cats surrendered 28 points in a 28-3 defeat to No. 12 Michigan.
After Kevon Powell, 125 pounds, won the first match of the day in a 3-2 triple overtime decision, the Bobcats didn’t look back. Tywan Claxton showed the same endurance as he won the 149-pound match against Daniel Neff in a 5-4 triple overtime decision.
After Claxton’s win the Bobcats took control of the match with back-to-back pins from Sparty Chino and Harrison Hightower, a decision win from Cody Walter and a major decision from Phil Wellington.
Ohio’s second dual was full of more lopsided scored, this time in favor its opponent.
Michigan justified its ranking in its team domination of the Bobcats. Only Claxton prevailed on the mats with a 4-3 decision against Alec Panteleo.
The Bobcats lost big, but on an individual level they surrendered extra points in just two matches. Sparty Chino gave Brian Murphy a tough bout, but ultimately fell in a 5-4 decision in double overtime.
After getting roughed up by the Wolverines, the Bobcats held nothing back against Southern Illinois Edwardsville.
Powell took no time in stealing the early lead for the Bobcats with a 17-7 major decision in the 125 match. Strong showings continued on as Kagan Squire, 133, and Noah Forrider, 141, both walked off the mats with wins.
Claxton and Chino continued the success, securing major decisions in their matches. Claxton had a perfect day as the only Bobcat to win all three of his matches.
Hightower lost in a close 165-bout with Connor McMahon by a 4-2 score. Walters got the ‘Cats back scoring positive points with a 4-0 win of over Jake Residori.
Southern Illinois’s 184-pounder Derek Nagel pinned Antonio Reynolds, but the Bobcats got right back to winning with a dominating 20-7 major decision from Wellington in the 197-pound matchup. The match marked the most points an Ohio wrestler has scored in a single match thus far into the season.
The last match of the evening rested on the shoulders of freshman heavyweight Zack Parker. Parker did his part as he took a 6-4 decision against Chris Johnson to round out the Bobcat victory.