Kent State's NCAA qualifier Jake Ferri (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Kent State Golden Flashes
"We are very excited about the upcoming season. We have added some key transfers and recruits at weight classes that we struggled at last year, along with the return of 3 NCAA qualifiers. I think our entire team feels the MAC conference is wide open now that Missouri has left our conference and we are returning 9 out of 10 starters." - Head Coach James Andrassy
TOP RETURNERS
The Flashes have nine returning starters in their line-up this upcoming season; all of which have made a huge impact already on the Kent State wrestling program.
125: Jake Ferri - 2021 NCAA qualifier, MAC 3rd place finisher
133: Brandon Fenton - 2nd seed at MAC Championships, MAC placewinner, 12-3 record last year
149: Kody Komara 2021 NCAA qualifier, MAC 4th place finisher
184: Colin McCracken - 2021 NCAA Qualifier, started at 197 last season
197: Tyler Bates - started at 184 last season
KEY DEPARTURES
Kent State University will be losing one of their starters this upcoming season. 174 lber Andrew McNally has transferred to Wisconsin. McNally was a three-time national qualifier for the Golden Flashes. In 2021, McNally won a MAC title and was seeded sixth at the NCAA Tournament. He made it to the quarterfinals and was eliminated in the Round of 12.
NEWCOMERS
The Flashes wrestling team is excited to welcome five transfers, and one nationally-ranked recruit to their program this upcoming season.
Louis Newell (141) - started for Pitt in 2019 at 125 placed 4th in the ACC.
Mick Burnett (141) - will be transferring for the spring semester in 2022. Burnett was Pitt's 149 lb entry at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Though his record was only 1-5, Burnett was close to most of his competition.
Enrique Munguia (157) - Top 5 Nationally Ranking in High school last year. Ranked #28 overall in the Class of 2021 by MatScouts. Named InterMat's MAC Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Tyler Johnson (157) - transferred from George Mason.
Najee Lockett (165) - transferred from Cornell. He was a top-200 recruit from the Class of 2020 that did not get to compete for the Big Red.
Michael Ferree (165) - transferred from Campbell. Ferree has not seen action in duals for Campbell, but he did go 5-0 last season in "extra" matches. Overall, he's gone 25-14 during his time in Buies Creek.
WRESTLER TO WATCH
Typically, heavyweights may take longer than other weights to adjust to college. Kent State's staff has raved about the improvement of their big man Jacob Cover. Could it be his time to shine? Cover went 13-11 in 2018-19, while redshirting and 4-9 last year. That record is a bit deceptive since the MAC was deep with heavyweight talent and he was very competitive in most of his matches.
POTENTIAL LINEUP
125: #22 Jake Ferri (Sr)
133: Brendon Fenton (Jr)/ Louis Newell (So)
141: Louis Newell (So)/Mick Burnett (So) --December Transfer
149: Kody Komara (Sr)
157: Enrigue Munguia (Fr)
165: Najee Lockett (Fr)
174: Micheal Ferree (Fr)
184: Colin McCrackern (Sr)
197: Tyler Bates (Jr)
HWT: Jacob Cover (Jr)
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