Roughnecks Pick Up Two Victories in Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin – The University of Findlay wrestling team, ranked 12th in the country, took part in the 46th Annual Jim Koch Wisconsin Open on Saturday, December 2.
Ranked fifth in the country at 184 pounds, the Roughnecks' Bradley Metz brought home the title in Wisconsin, finishing a perfect 4-0 on the day. He began his day with back-to-back pins to earn a spot in the semifinals. In his semifinal match, Metz took down David Hamil of Lindenwood, ranked 11th in the country, by a close 3-2 decision to earn a spot in the finals. In the first place match, Metz took down Will Feldkamp of Northern Illinois by a 5-1 decision to earn the title.
Findlay got another first place finish from Mimmo Lytle who is currently ranked ninth in the country at heavyweight. He also finished 4-0 on the day. Lytle began his day with a win over Logan Radik (Maryville Univ.), defeating him 8-2. He came back with a pin over Jordan Williams (Harper College) and then a 4-1 decision over Joseph Foret (UW-Parkside). In the first place match, Lytle shut out Jacob Borgmeyer with a 5-0 decision (Lindenwoood) to earn the heavyweight title.
At 157 pounds, James Wimer finished the day with a 3-1 record picking up his only loss in the first place bout. He began with a 17-3 major decision over Christopher Viehmann (Maryville) and then won 8-1 over Jason Crary of Chicago. His semifinal win came over Pernevlon Sheppherd (UW-Parkside) before getting dealt his only loss of the day, a 6-4 loss to Devin Bahr of Wisconsin.
Another second place finish came from the Roughnecks' Alonzo Turner, ranked second in the country at 165 pounds. He took on three Division I opponents in his run. Turner began with a pin of Isaiah Mitchell (Luther) before picking up a quarterfinal win over Purdue's Laine Frazee. In his semifinal match, he won a 5-2 decision over Austin Yant of Northern Iowa. Turner was again matched up with a Purdue athlete in the finals, this time it was Mario Leveille. Leveille won that match in sudden victory, a 3-1 decision.
At 174 pounds, Natean Vandermeer finished the day in fourth place in his weight class, picking up six wins on the day compared to two losses. His day was highlighted with pins in consecutive bouts, one over Ira Kuehn (Luther) and the other over Jorge Guerrero (Lindenwood).
Findlay got fifth place finishes from Zachary Collins, who finished 4-2, and Josh Wimer, who began with three straight wins in the tournament and ultimately finished 4-2.
The Rougnecks will be back on the mat on Dec. 16-17 for the Midwest Classic.