Wrestling team opens season with 21-18 loss against Trine

The Olivet College wrestling team opened the 2008-09 season with a 21-18 loss against Trine (Ind.) University before a spirited crowd tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The Thunder put the first six team points on the scoreboard with minor decision wins at 125 and 133 pounds. The Comets, ranked No. 16 in the preseason National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, scored their first three team points with a 10-8 win by sophomore Vince Tucker (Clio) at 141 pounds. A third period takedown provided the winning points in the match.

Trine stretched its lead back to six points, 9-3, with a 3-0 win at 149 pounds. Senior Jason Brew (Sparta) tied the match at 9-9 with a pin at 157 pounds. In the final minute of the second period, he used a maneuver at the edge of the mat to turn his opponent and record the pin in 4:17.

Sophomore Jim Neal (Marysville) gave Olivet its first lead, 12-9, with a 6-4 victory at 165 pounds. He sealed the win with an escape in the closing seconds of the match. Senior Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) used the riding point at the end of his match to post a 3-2 win. The Thunder tied the match at 15-15 with a pin at 184 pounds.

Junior Joe Yurisich (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) gave the Comets an 18-15 lead with a thrilling 6-5 win at 197 pounds. To start the third period and the score tied at 5-5, he elected to go down. The Trine wrestler chose an optional start, allowing Yurisich to get the one point for an escape and eventually the win. Trine won the match by virtue of a pin at 285 pounds.

Olivet is off until next Tuesday, Nov. 18, when it hosts Heidelberg (Ohio) College at 7 p.m. Heidelberg is No. 18 in the preseason poll.