Wrestling team finishes in fifth-place at Bud Whitehill Duals, Hall named to all-tournament team

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Olivet College wrestling team won two matches today to finish in fifth-place at the 2016 Bud Whitehill Duals, hosted by Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Comets defeated Waynesburg (Pa.) University, 21-19, and Wesleyan (Conn.) University, 31-8. For his performance at the duals, senior Thomas Hall was named to all-tournament team.

Against Waynesburg, Olivet fell behind by a 13-0 score on three straight losses – a 12-4 major decision at 125 pounds, a pin at 133 pounds and an 8-6 decision at 141 pounds. The Comets cut their deficit down to one point with three consecutive wins – junior Austin Kelley won 7-4 at 149 pounds, junior Ross Pennock pinned his opponent in 30 seconds at 157 pounds and freshman Tyler Grimsley won 6-1 at 165 pounds.

Senior Nicholas Africano put Olivet ahead for good with a 6-4 overtime win at 174 pounds. Junior Rodney Harvey followed with a 9-6 win at 184 pounds. Hall had the Comets' final win, a 9-2 decision at 197 points. With the win secured, Olivet elected to forfeit the 285-pound match.

The Comets won 8-of-10 bouts to easily beat Wesleyan. Olivet started the match with four straight decisions – 8-3 by sophomore Trevor Skinner at 125 pounds, 6-1 by sophomore Jared Brickley at 133 pounds, 9-5 by junior Curtis Blackwell at 141 pounds and 4-2 by Kelley at 149 pounds.

After a technical fall loss at 157 pounds, junior Kevin Papak got three of those team points back for the Comets with a 5-1 decision at 165 pounds. The Cardinals won a 6-2 decision at 174 pounds. Harvey then posted a first-period pin in two minutes and 33 seconds at 184 pounds.

Hall capped his weekend with a perfect 5-0 record by recording a fall in four minute and six seconds at 197 pounds. Junior Jesse Judge ended the match with a 14-1 win in the 285-pound bout.

The Comets will now prepare for a busy week. On Thursday, Jan. 14, they will travel to Angola, Indiana, to wrestle Trine (Ind.) University at 7 p.m. Next Saturday, Jan. 16, the Comets will compete at the Elmhurst (Ill.) College Invitational.