At the toughest tournament of the season for the Kent State wrestling team, three Kent players were able to place at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational. The highlight of the weekend was fifth-year senior Ian Miller winning his bracket.

Overall, Kent State finished in eighth out of 40 teams with 65 points.

Miller ended the weekend winning each of his five matches, never trailing in any of them. He earned a technical fall in his first match and followed up with four straight matches with riding time. He remains undefeated on the season with an 11-0 record.

Fifth-year senior Mike DePalma and senior Mack McGuire were the other Flashes that were able to place, finishing fifth and seventh respectively.

DePalma, who went 4-2 in the tournament, was able to get two technical falls and a riding time before being dropped to the consolation bracket. 

McGuire, who also went 4-2, won twice with riding times before losing to defending NCAA champion Cody Brewer from the University of Oklahoma. McGuire rebounded, finishing with two wins in his final three matches, one with riding time. 

Four other Flashes were able to get at two wins on Friday: fifth-year senior Tyler Buckwalter, fifth-year senior Mike Vollant, fifth-year senior Cole Baxter and redshirt freshman Kyle Conel.

The Flashes (4-1) will begin MAC dual meet play against Buffalo at 2 p.m. Sunday in the M.A.C. Center.

Dan Armelli is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].