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KENT, Ohio – The Ohio wrestling team (6-5, 2-3 MAC) returned to winning ways tonight (Feb. 9) with an emphatic 34-15 win over rival Kent State (5-14, 1-4 MAC). With the win, the Bobcats won the 'Grudge Match,' helping bring back the rivalry trophy to Athens for the third consecutive season.
The Bobcats fell behind early, but won the final seven matches to mount a ferocious comeback.
Redshirt freshman Derek Raike (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) picked up the first win of the night for Ohio. The 149-pounder prevailed in a tight decision, winning 12-9.
Entering the match, redshirt sophomore Peyten Kellar (Cutler, Ohio) had not lost a MAC competition. He would continue his undefeated streak with a dominant victory by way of an 18-2 technical fall. Kellar is now 16-2 on the season, 9-0 in meets, and 5-0 in conference matches.
Redshirt sophomore Garrett Thompson (Murrysville, Pa.) improved to 23-5 on the season with a 10-7 win by decision. Although Thompson was unable to record a fall on the night, the 157-pounder remains in the top ten in the NCAA for falls with nine.
Following Thompson, junior Sal Perrine (Northfield, Ohio) won by fall with 4:36 remaining. With the win, Perrine lifted the Bobcats ahead of the Golden Flashes 17-15.
The Bobcats would not look back. Junior Zayne Lehman (Akron, Ohio) showed his skills, shutting out his opponent en route to a 16-0 technical fall win. Lehman improved to 8-1 in dual matches this season.
At 197 pounds, sophomore Austin Starr (Indian Creek, Ohio) returned to winning ways with a win by fall. It was his fourth win by fall on the year, improving to 15-7 in his sophomore campaign.
Senior Jordan Greer (Avon, Ohio) rounded out the night for the Bobcats. Following in Starrs footsteps, the senior picked up his fifth win by fall this season. Greer got the pin in the second period, earning him his ninth win of the year.
Full Results: Ohio 34 - Kent State 15
125: Adan Benavidez (KENT) over Bryce Skinner (OHIO) (MD 16-4)
133: Pablo Castro (KENT) over Malachi O'Leary (OHIO) (Fall 2:26)
141: Billy Meiszner (KENT) over Aidan Waszak (OHIO) (TF 21-2 0:00)
149: Derek Raike (OHIO) over Matthew Ryan (KENT) (Dec 12-9)
157: Peyten Kellar (OHIO) over Keegan Knapp (KENT) (TF 18-2 0:00)
165: Garrett Thompson (OHIO) over Aaron Ferguson (KENT) (Dec 10-7)
174: Sal Perrine (OHIO) over AJ Berkhart (KENT) (Fall 4:36)
184: Zayne Lehman (OHIO) over Mitchell Broskie (KENT) (TF 16-0 5:10)
197: Austin Starr (OHIO) over Blake Schaffer (KENT) (Fall 4:09)
285: Jordan Greer (OHIO) over Josh Boggan (KENT) (Fall 2:47)
Ohio will return to the Convocation Center next Saturday, Feb. 17 to take on SIUE. The Bobcats will face off against the Cougars starting at 7:00 p.m.
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