Wrestling team falls to University of Chicago, 16-15

The Olivet College wrestling team began its 2004-05 season with a 16-15 loss to University of Chicago (Ill.) this afternoon at MacKay Gymnasium in Olivet. Chicago entered the match ranked 26th in the preseason Brute-Adidas/National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

The match opened with Chicago’s Ai Jguyen winning the 125-pound match, 4-3, in overtime. The Comets responded as junior 133-pounder Kefentse Mandisa (Westland/John Glenn) picked up a 10-3 victory. At 141 pounds, Andrew Bribiesco had a major decision 13-5 win.

Junior 149-pounder Tyler Goodnight (Midland/Bullock Creek) won 3-0. Following a Chicago win at 157 pounds, junior 165-pounder Mike Andrews (Swartz Creek) earned a 9-3 victory. The Maroons answered with a win at 174 pounds.

Junior 184-pounder Ryan Newberry (South Haven High School) trimmed the team deficit score to one point, 13-12, with a 5-3 victory. With a thrilling 3-2 sudden death victory, senior 197-pounder Ahmad Zeaiter (Kalamazoo/Portage Northern) gave the Fighting Comets a 15-13 lead. In the final match of the day, Chicago’s Sean Barnes won 6-4 and gave the Maroons the 16-15 win.

Olivet is next in action Saturday, Nov. 20, when it hosts eight other schools for the annual Comet Duals. Action begins at 9 a.m. with matches in MacKay Gym and the Upton Center.