Wrestling team defeats Trine, 37-6

ANGOLA, Ind. – The Olivet College wrestling team scored bonus in five of its eight wins to easily defeat Trine (Ind.) University, 37-6, tonight at Hershey Hall in Angola, Indiana.

At 125 pounds, junior Michael Schmidt needed only a takedown near the end of the first period to win a 2-1 decision and give the Comets the 3-0 lead. The Thunder answered with their own one-point decision, 4-3, at 133 pounds to tie the match at 3-3.

Junior Curtis Blackwell won a hard-fought, 8-6 decision at 141 pounds to put Olivet back ahead 6-3. A four-point near fall in the second period was the difference in the match. Junior Matthew Lopez used a takedown in the second period and an escape in the third period to post a 3-1 win at 149 pounds and make the score 9-3.

Junior Lake Bennett increased the Comets' lead to 12 points, 15-3, by pinning his opponent with 48 seconds left in the first period of the 157-pound bout. Junior Kevin Papak registered a 13-5 major decision win at 165 pounds. Trine picked-up three team points with a 3-1 overtime victory at 174 pounds to cut its deficit down to 19-6.

At 184 pounds, junior Rodney Harvey wasted no time in winning his match, as he pinned his man only one minute and 11 seconds into the bout. The pin put Olivet up 25-6 and sealed its win. Senior Thomas Hall received a forfeit win at 197 points. Junior Jesse Judge capped Olivet's win by pinning his opponent with 16 ticks left in the first period of the 285-pound bout.

On Saturday, the Comets will participate in the 2016 Al Hanke Invitational, hosted by Elmhurst (Ill) College. Action from inside R.A. Faganel Hall gets under way at 9 a.m. CST.