Roughnecks Take on DI Talent at Eastern Michigan
Ypsilanti, Mich. – The University of Findlay wrestling team, which is ranked 12th in the nation in Division II, traveled to Ypsilanti, Michigan for the Eastern Michigan Open on Saturday, Nov. 11. In the event, Findlay wrestlers combined for 27 points scored. The tournament marks the second consecutive week that that Roughnecks have participated in Division I hosted tournaments.
At 184 pounds in the open division, senior Bradley Metz, currently ranked fifth in the country in Division II, put together the best record of the day at 3-2. In his first bout, Metz was matched up with Nick Corba of Cleveland State who is ranked 16th in the country in Division I. In that matchup, the two battled all three rounds with Corba earning a 2-1 decision. Metz then rallied and took down Davenport's Kyle Nixon by tech fall, 17-2. Metz then went on to defeat a pair of Division I wrestlers in the next two rounds, the final of which was Nick May of Michigan State over whom Metz won by fall. In his fifth place match, Metz was pinned giving the senior a sixth place finish.
Findlay's highest finisher was senior Armani Robinson who would end the event in fourth place in the open 197 pound bracket. He took a bye in the first round and was pitted up against Jared Langley of Eastern Michigan in the quarterfinals. Robinson defeated Langley 7-5 to advance to the semifinal. He then lost to Stevie Cervantes of Navy, ranked 15th in the nation in DI and in the third place match, lost an 8-1 decision to Kellan Stout of the University of Pittsburgh.
Junior Michael Stewart, competing at 133 pounds in the open division, won his first bout of the day, defeating Cleveland State's Andrew Coghill by a 4-1 decision. After losing to Edinboro's Korbin Myers, ranked 11th in the country in Division I at 133 pounds, Stewart earned a tightly contested 3-2 decision over Jack Tolin of Northwestern. Stewart would finish with a 2-2 record on the day.
Senior Gerald Beck competed in the open 285 bracket and finished the event 2-2. Beck took down Darien Kaufmann in the first round by a 4-3 decision before being pinned in the quarterfinal by Edinboro's William Miller, ranked tenth in the nation in DI. Beck came back and blanked Manny Haddad of Davenport 5-0. He would later lose in the consolation semifinal match to Michigan State's Christian Rebottaro.
Findlay will play host to the annual Findlay Open next Saturday, Nov. 18 in the Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex.