Wrestling team beats No. 1 Grand Valley State club team, 19-16

The Olivet College wrestling team defeated the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) club team, 19-16, tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet. GVSU entered the match ranked No. 1 in the latest National Collegiate Wrestling Association Coaches Poll.

The Comets, ranked No. 11 in the latest NCAA Division III national rankings, lost their first two matches. Freshman 141-pounder Rob Yahrmarkt (Sparta) put team points on the scoreboard for Olivet with a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Jay Erny. Following him, freshman 149-pounder Jason Brew (Sparta) recorded a 17-7 major decision win.

GVSU picked-up a win at 157 pounds. Freshman 165-pounder Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) trimmed the Comets’ deficit in team points to one with an 8-7 victory over Tony Ferguson. Senior 174-pounder Mike Andrews (Swartz Creek) won by injury default, which made the team score 16-11.

The Lakers grabbed the lead back, 17-16, with back-to-back minor decision victories at 184 and 197 pounds. Freshman 285-pounder Keith Sterly (Petoskey) beat John Stolle, 5-1, to give Olivet a 19-16 win. After the match, GVSU was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Comets will travel to Wabash (Ind.) College Saturday, Jan. 28, to participate in the Monon Bell Duals. Action gets under way at 9 a.m.