Roughnecks Wrestle Well in Findlay Open
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay wrestling team hosted the Findlay Open on Saturday, Nov. 19. The event played host to 18 teams and more than 300 wrestlers from each of the three NCAA divisions and NAIA.
The Roughnecks received a championship run from freshman Josh Wimer who was able to take first place in the 141 pound division. He finished the day with a perfect 5-0 record that included two pins. Wimer began his run with a three point win at 12-9 and came back in the next round with his first pin which came at the 2:39 mark in his bout with John Davis of Lake Erie College. Wimer won his quarterfinal matchup with another three point win at 7-4 and then tore through his semifinal picking up a 16-1 tech fall victory over Collin Adkins of Kent State. In the finals, Wimer controlled Daniel Romero of Wheeling Jesuit and finished his tournament with a fall (2:09).
Junior Schuyler Phillips, wrestling at 125 pounds, also had an impressive day as he finished in second place and totaled a record of 4-1 on the day. Phillips' first two matchups were extremely close as he won in the first round 4-2 in tie breaker and then took a 3-2 decision in round two. In the quarters, Phillips earned a pin in 5:31 and he won by default due to injury in the semis. He then battled in the championship round with Willie Bohince of Mercyhurst, the #2 wrestler in Division II at 125 pounds. Bohince pinned Phillips in 3:48 to earn the title.
Wrestling in his first event of the year, senior Bradley Metz, ranked tenth in DII at 174 pounds, finished with a 4-1 record and a second place finish. Metz made quick work of his first three rounds with a 7-0 decision in the first, a 9-1 major decision in the second, and sudden victory in the third. In his semifinal match, Metz took down Nicholas Mason of Tiffin University with a 7-4 decision. Metz then battled Gabe Stark of Cleveland State for the title and he lost in a tightly contested, 3-1 decision.
Sophomore Alonzo Turner, ranked seventh in the country at his weight, continued his impressive season as he finished the day with a 5-1 record in the 165 pound division. Turner had a pin in his second round and won by major decision in the third. His only loss came in his semifinal round to the nation's #3, Francis Mizia of Mercyhurst. Turner came back and defeated Ben Schneider of Ohio University 8-2 to earned third place.
Junior Randy Caris and senior Luke Fleming each finished the day with just one loss. Caris ended the day with a 5-1 record while Fleming ended with a 6-1 record. Both lost their lone match in the quarterfinal round. Caris' quarterfinal went to extra time where he appeared to have earned a takedown of Jared Chambers (Tiffin). As Caris stood up, Chambers took his shot and earned the sudden victory.
The Roughnecks will be off until the Midwest Classic on Dec. 16-17.