Kent State wrestling coach Jim Andrassy feels good about his team’s performance this season as the Flashes continue their run toward the Mid-American Conference Championship.

“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at right now,” Kent State head wrestling coach Jim Andrassy said. “The goal we’re focusing on now is winning the MAC, and everyone on the team is committed to that.”

So far this season, the team has posted a 4-4 record, doing so without the help of two-time All-American and 2010-2011 National Champion Dustin Kilgore. Kilgore has been training with the U.S. Olympic wrestling team in its facility in Colorado.

“I mapped out the schedule expecting Dustin to be on the team,” Andrassy said. “We’re 4-4 now. With him, we’d probably be 7-1.”

Without Kilgore, Kent State still ranks No. 22 in the nation, according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. On the InterMat College Rankings, senior Nic Bedelyon ranks No. 4 in the nation in the 125-pound weight class. Sophomore Tyler Small ranks No. 8 in the 141-pound class, according to the same poll. True freshman Ian Miller and senior Brendon Barlow rank No. 15 sand No. 16 in their respective weight classes.

Kent State defeated Northern Illinois 29-6 and Cleveland State 43-9 at dual meets in DeKalb, Ill. on Dec. 21. Bedelyon and Barlow each earned their 100th career victories with a pair of decisive wins. Bedelyon improved his regular season record to 19-1, while Barlow improved to 17-7.

Miller also won both of his matches, and junior Keith Witt remained at the top of the MAC rankings at 197 pounds with an overtime win over No. 2 Mike Lukowski of NIU. Overall, the Flashes won 17 of the 20 matches during the two meets.

The team returns to practice Tuesday to prepare for the Virginia Duals on Jan. 13-14 in Hampton, Va.

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].