The night began with Cathell scoring a 12-4 major decision over the MAC's top-ranked wrestler at 157, Bryan Deutsch. With a takedown and a reversal, Deutsch led 4-2 after the first period, before Cathell turned him to his back three different times.
"It was a pretty close match," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. "But if you're not careful against Matt, he's going to score some wild points on you. He's so different than the rest of our guys when it comes to his style, but he's helping us win."
In typical Cathell fashion, he risked putting himself on his back on several occasions, but his risks paid off and the Flashes found themselves with an unexpected 4-0 lead after the opener.
"I try to get into scrambles and just try not to let it get too out of control," Cathell said. He's (Deutsch) good on his feet, but when I got on top, I was able to work my headlock."
Following one-sided, decision victories by Ross Tice and Brandonn Johnson, Witt provided the next surprise for the Huskies at 184. Filling in for Casey Newburg, Witt was called upon to take on Brad Dieckhaus, ranked No. 3 in the MAC. Trailing 4-3 after two periods, Dieckhaus appeared to have Witt ready to be turned in a cradle. However, Witt sat out and completely turned the tables on Dieckhaus, sticking him with just over a minute left in the match.
"No one has ever turned Keith in a cradle," Andrassy said. "I even tried it once in practice with it locked up and couldn't do it...And that was my move in college."
The next pin came from Kilgore, just 1:15 later against Mike Lukowski. Still undefeated in 11 career MAC duals, Kilgore tied Witt for the team lead in falls with seven.
An opening period takedown by Brendan Barlow made the difference in a 4-1 victory over Dakota Greenhaw. Bedelyon then made it three pins in four bouts for the Flashes after jumping out to a commanding 7-0 lead against Zach Taylor.
Another backup was called upon at 133 as Stevie Mitcheff moved up a weight class to down Izzy Montemayor 6-4. Montemayor led 2-1 after a period, before Mitcheff came through with takedowns in the second and third periods.
"We're fortunate to have guys like Stevie that can just step in like that," Andrassy said of his team's depth.
Junior Marcel Clopton closed out the evening with a 5-1 victory over Vince Castillo, improving to 16-10 on the year.
Kent State's 31-point margin of victory was its largest in a conference dual since 1997. The Golden Flashes (10-5, 1-0 MAC) return to the M.A.C. Center on Friday, Jan. 28 to battle non-conference foe Clarion.
Results:
157: Matt Cathell (KS) maj. dec. Bryan Deutsch, 12-4
165: Ross Tice (KS) dec. Matt Mougin, 7-4
174: Brandonn Johnson (KS) dec. Caleb Busson, 9-3
184: Keith Witt (KS) fall Brad Dieckhaus, 5:55
197: Dustin Kilgore (KS) fall Mike Lukowski, 1:15
285: Brendan Barlow (KS) dec. Dakota Greenhaw, 4-1
125: Nic Bedelyon (KS) fall Zach Taylor, 4:20
133: Stevie Mitcheff (KS) dec. Izzy Montemayor, 6-4
141: Tristen DeShazer (NIU) fall Sean Collins, 3:28
149: Marcel Clopton (KS) dec. Vince Castillo, 5-1
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