Wrestling team in seventh-place after day one of Wheaton Pete Willson Invitational

After the first day of competition at the 2007 Wheaton (Ill.) College Pete Willson Invitational, the Olivet College wrestling team stands in seventh-place with 48.5 points. The Comets, ranked 18th in the latest NWCA Top 30 poll, had two wrestlers advance to the semifinals and another three are still alive in the consolation bracket. Saturday’s second day of action gets under way at 9 a.m. CT.

In Friday’s action, senior 157-pounder Ken Andrews (Swartz Creek) and junior 184-pounder Daron Cruickshank (Inkster/John Glenn) each had a 3-0 records to advance to the semifinals. Andrews, who was seeded No. 6, opened his day with a 19-3 technical fall victory, followed by a 10-4 minor decision victory in the Round of 16. In the quarterfinals, he upset No. 3 seed Elliott Spence, 5-2. Cruishank, who was seeded No. 7, won by a 5-3 score in his first match and a 14-6 major decision win in the next round. He then beat No. 2 seed Ryan Summers, 15-9, in the quarterfinals.

Sophomore 165-pounder Jason Brew (Sparta), freshman 197-pounder Joe Yurisich (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) and junior heavyweight Sean Misko (Richmond) lost one match today to drop into the consolation bracket. Brew posted a 2-1 record with a win by pin in 2:01 and 6-0 minor decision win. Yurisich and Misko each had 3-1 marks. Yurisich’s three wins were by minor decision, 12-5, 10-6 and 8-5. Misko had wins by pin (2:45), minor decision (4-2) and medical forfeit.

Freshman 133-pounder Blake Gardner (Mount Morris) and sophomore 141-pounder Rob Yahrmarkt (Sparta) bowed out of the tournament with 3-2 records. Freshman 125-pounder Blair Mellish (Siliverwood/North Branch), junior 149-pounder Nick Wolf (Charlotte/Olivet) and sophomore 174-pounder Greg Jarratt (Centreville) each lost two matches.

Following tomorrow, Olivet will host Muskegon Community College Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.