Wrestling team takes third-place at ONU Invitational

The Olivet College wrestling team finished in third-place (out of 19 schools) today at the 25th Annual Ohio Northern University Invitational at the ONU Sports Center in Ada, Ohio. Freshman Jason Brew (Sparta) captured the championship at 149 pounds and was selected as the invitational’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

The 19-team field was comprised of 12 NCAA Division III schools, five NCAA Division II schools and two NAIA schools. Division II foe Ashland University won the team title with 191.5 points, followed by NAIA foe University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) with 132.5 points and Olivet with 105 points.

Brew finished the day with five wins – three decisions, one pin and one medical forfeit. In the championship match, he defeated Jason Roush from College of Mt. St. Joseph (Ohio), 3-1, in overtime. Roush is ranked second in the latest Division III individual rankings.

Freshman 165-pounder Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) claimed a second-place finish with a 4-1 record. He fell to Eric Lakia from Ashland, 4-3, in the championship match. Lakia is ranked third in the Division II individual rankings.

After losing in the first round, senior 184-pounder Ryan Newberry (Grand Junction/South Haven) battled back with six consecutive wins for a third-place finish. In the third-place match, he pinned Angelo Price from Cumberlands. Price had beaten Newberry in the first round.

Freshman heavyweight Keith Sterly (Petoskey) gained a fourth-place finish. He recorded five wins, including three pins, and his only defeat was 3-2 in the semifinals.

Also placing for the Comets was senior 174-pounder Mike Andrews (Swartz Creek), who was fifth and sophomore 197-pounder Tucker Surbrook (Potterville), who claimed seventh.

Olivet is back in action Sunday, Dec. 18, when it participates in the Eastern Ohio Duals at Mount Union (Ohio) College.