Wrestling team ties for second-place at 2009 NCAA Division III Midwest Regional

The Olivet College wrestling tied Trine (Ind.) University for second-place today at the 2009 NCAA Division III Midwest Regional. The Comets and the host Thunder each had 128.5 points. Delaware Valley (Pa.) College won the regional championship with 183 points.

Individually, senior Jason Brew (Sparta) captured the 157-pound championship and qualifies for the 2009 NCAA Division III National Championships. Senior Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) lost his 174-pound championship match, but was a unanimous selection for one of the wildcard berths.

Brew coasted through his first two matches, winning by technical fall in both – 19-4 over Jared Roberts of Waynesburg and 18-2 over George Markou of Trine. In the championship match, Brew defeated Isaac Dukes of Case Western, 6-4.

Vanderhyde won his first two matches – 19-5 over Anthony Scarillo of Thiel and 3:39 pin over Brad Greenman of Case Western. Rocky Mantella of Delaware Valley beat him by a 6-4 sudden death victory in the championship match. Vanderhyde bounced back to beat Nick Krause of Trine in a true-second match.

Olivet's other eight wrestlers each finished in the top eight of their respective weight class. Fourth-place finishes were by sophomore Adam Wilson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) at 133 pounds, junior Joe Bargerstock (Livonia/Churchill) at 184 pounds and senior Sean Misko (Casco/Richmond) at 285 pounds. Finishing in fifth was senior Rob Yahrmarkt (Sparta) at 141 pounds, junior Nick Leon (Sterling Heights/Henry Ford II) at 149 pounds and sophomore Jim Neal (Marysville) at 165 pounds.

Senior Aaron Stewart (Dansville) placed sixth at 197 pounds. Freshman Justin Fleeson (Belleville) was eighth at 125 pounds.

The national championships will take place March 6-7 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.