Wrestling team beats Muskegon Community College, 32-3

The Olivet College wrestling team won nine-of-10 bouts en route to a 32-3 victory against Muskegon Community College this evening at MacKay Gymnasium in Olivet. The Comets, ranked No. 18 in the latest NWCA Top 30 poll, had seven wins by minor decision and one win each by pin and forfeit.

Sophomore 125-pounder Kyle Labrecque (Battle Creek/Lakeview) got the match started for Olivet with an 8-3 win. At 133 pounds, freshman Blake Gardner (Mount Morris) pinned his opponent just 37 seconds into the third period.

At 141 pounds, sophomore Rob Yahrmarkt (Sparta) won by a 3-1 score as he recorded a takedown with 10 seconds left in the bout. In the 149-pound bout, junior Nick Wolf (Olivet) secured a 5-2 win with a third period takedown. Senior Ken Andrews (Swartz Creek) earned a forfeit win at 157 pounds. A takedown and three-point near fall in the third period allowed sophomore 165-pounder Jason Brew (Sparta) to post a 9-2 victory. Freshman 174-pounder Ben Temple (Perry) also had a takedown in the third period and hung on for a 2-1 win.

After three periods and the first overtime session, the 184-pound bout was tied at 3-3. In the first tiebreaker, junior Daron Cruickshank (Inkster/John Glenn) selected the down position and escaped in three seconds. In the second tiebreaker, he did not allow his opponent to escape to earn the 4-3 win. At 197 pounds, senior Jeff Wright (Escanaba) recorded four takedowns and a riding time point as he easily won, 9-4.

Olivet returns to action Saturday, Feb. 3, when it participates in the annual Wabash (Ind.) College Monon Bell Duals. The Comets’ first match is at 8 a.m. against Lincoln (Ill.) College, followed by three additional matches.