In the Kent State wrestling team’s 25-14 loss to Bellarmine University on Sunday, redshirt freshman Brentan Simmerman took home another victory in what’s been a personal success story to start the 2024-2025 season.
The Flashes traveled to Louisville Sunday for a meet with the Bellarmine Knights. This was the first time Kent State and Bellarmine had ever met in the history of each program.
Sunday’s contest opened with a major decision going the way of the Flashes’ 149-pounder, Billy Meiszner, meaning the Flashes would play from in front.
However, Bellarmine would roar back to the tune of five consecutive victories in the 157-197 pound range, and also pick up a major decision when the Knights’ 174-pound redshirt freshman Grant O’Dell bested KSU’s redshirt freshman Carson Miller.
Down 21-4, the Flashes’ redshirt freshman heavyweight Simmerman carried the energy he gained in his victory at the Michigan State University Open into his bout against Bellarmine senior Daulton Mayer, claiming three points for KSU.
Down 21-7, the Flashes would have to secure at least two major decisions and one fall to have a chance at beating the Knights.
The Flashes started its road to redemption on the right foot when junior 125-pounder Nico Calello took home a major decision in his match against Bellarmine redshirt junior Jack Parker.
KSU graduate student 133-pounder Jordan Decatur beat Bellarmine redshirt sophomore Trayce Eckerman in the meet’s second-to-last match, but it was only a three point decision, meaning the meet was clinched for the Bellarmine Knights.
In the final match of the meet, which was between the 141-pounders, Bellarmine freshman David Mayora beat Kent State freshman Mason Tieffel in a major decision.
Bellarmine would claim Sunday’s meet over Kent State by a final score of 25-14.
Looking Ahead
Following the loss at Bellarmine, the Flashes hold a record of 1-3 on the year and are currently tied for third place in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference standings.
Sunday, the Flashes will travel to Annapolis, Md., to participate in the Navy Classic.
The Flashes will see opponents from 12 different schools such as Indiana, The Citadel and the Naval Academy, who are all set to participate.
Kent State will not be the only wrestling team the MAC is sending on Sunday, as Cleveland State, George Mason and Ohio will be in attendance.
The Flashes will also see the return of a familiar foe, as the Maryland Terrapins, whom KSU wrestled against Nov. 3, will send wrestlers to the Navy Classic.
Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.
