The Kent State wrestling team continues to struggle in road duals this season as the Flashes fell 19-13 to Central Michigan on Sunday.

The Flashes were off to another slow start after losing four straight matches in Sunday’s dual meet.

Junior wrestlers Del Vinas (125), Mack McGuire (133) and Michael DePalma (149), along with fifth-year senior Tyler Small (141), all lost their matches, giving the Chippewas an early 13-point lead.

It wasn’t until junior Ian Miller (157) won his bout 5-2 before the Flashes had their first three points of the meet.

The Flashes success did not last long. Following Miller’s victory, junior Tyler Buckwalter (165) lost a close 4-2 battle in overtime, giving Central Michigan a 16-3 advantage over Kent State.

After dropping another match, Flashes redshirt freshman Jerald Spohn (184),  junior Cole Baxter (197) and sophomore Mimmo Lyle (285) answered the Chippewas, winning three consecutive matches despite losing the dual meet 19-13.

“There were three matches that were pretty disappointing today,” coach Jim Andrassy said. “We’ve got to learn how to win those matches, and we aren’t learning how to win those matches so it makes it really tough.”

Spohn defeated his opponent 15-4, while scoring the most points in the dual meet.

“Spohn really stepped up and made it happen,” Andrassy said. “I never ever in my wildest dreams expected him to win, but he won that one.”

Kent State’s record now stands at 7-11 and 3-3 in Mid-American Conference play.

“It has been one of those seasons where it’s been up and down, and our guys haven’t been very consistent,” Andrassy said. “We need to win two of those three matches we lost.”

The Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center on Sunday, when they will take on Northern Iowa at 1 p.m.

Contact Zac Sommer at [email protected].