Wrestlers defeat #11 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) at Desert Duals in Las Vegas

Matt Alexander

By Tim Glon

| Tournament Site |

LAS VEGAS, Nev. —  The Ohio Northern wrestling team defeated No. 11-ranked (NAIA) Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 26-22 to finish 1-3 at the Desert Duals Sunday at the Flamingo Hotel.

The Polar Bears (5-5) fell to national power Wartburg (Iowa) 21-15, No. 2-ranked Coe (Iowa) 35-6 and No. 27-ranked Lakeland (Wis.) 27-16 on Sunday.

Sophomore Luke Miller and freshman Matt Alexander led ONU with a 4-0 records on the day.

Miller improves to 14-2 on the season, with one pin and winning by decision three times at the 157-pound weight class.

Alexander is now 10-6 on the year at the 184-pound weight class, boasting a major decision and an overtime decision among his victories.

Senior Drew Michel and junior Jeff Penny each went 2-2 on the day.

Michel (5-5) had 4-2 and 5-3 decisions, while Penny (10-5) has a pin and a forfeit victory to his credit.

In the victory over ER, senior heavyweight Joe Fisher got a pin in 2:40 to defeat Dan Brutinel to rally Ohio Northern from a 22-20 deficit to a 26-22 victory in the final contest of the day.

The Polar Bears will return to action Jan. 3-4 at the Midwest Classic in Indianapoils.

Wartburg II 21, Ohio Northern 15
125 – Mark Kist (W) dec. David Penny, 6-0
133 – Jeff Penny (ONU) won by fall over Sean White, 4:59
141 – Chris Tims (W) dec. Kyle King, 8-7
149 – Jacob Groth (W) dec. Mick Letcher, 18-17
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) dec. Brennan Drew, 6-4
165 – Mike Sandy (W) dec. A.J. Coleman, 3-1
174 – Craig Kreman (W) dec. Collin Swick, 8-1
184 – Matt Alexander (ONU) dec. Ben Scott, 5-3
197 – Drew Michel (ONU) dec. Dan Borchers, 5-3
HWT – David Wyper (W) won by fall over Joe Fisher, 4:00

#2 Coe 35, Ohio Northern 6
125 – Clayton Rush (Coe) tech. fall David Penny, 6:55
133 – Branden Ball (Coe) won by fall over Jeff Penny, 4:46
141 – Kody Pudil (Coe) won by fall over Zach Sully, :11
149 – Tyler Baker (Coe) maj. dec. Mick Letcher, 13-2
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) dec. Byron Grothus, 1-0
165 – Danny Kalkoff (Coe) maj. dec. Billy Painter, 19-8
174 – Seth Renn (Coe) maj. dec. Collin Swick, 14-5
184 – Matt Alexander (ONU) dec. Greg Lalla, 3-1, OT
197 – Rob Kramer (Coe) tech. fall Drew Michel, 5:10
HWT – Mitch Sander (Coe) maj. dec. Joe Fisher, 17-4

#27 Lakeland (Wis.) 23, Ohio Northern 16
125 – David Copp (L) maj. dec. Jason VanAtta, 12-4
133 – Jeff Penny (ONU) won by forfeit
141 – Kory Theil (L) won by fall over Ben Marks, 2:21
149 – Isaac Roberson (L) maj. dec. Mick Letcher, 19-9
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) dec. James Flok, 10-4
165 – Jake Frias (L) dec. A.J. Coleman, 4-2
174 – Ben Chapman (L) dec. Collin Swick, 6-5
184 – Matt Alexander (ONU) maj. dec. Tom Mann, 20-8
197 – Drew Michel (ONU) dec. A.J. Aronston, 4-2
HWT – Adam Sutter (L) dec. Joe Fisher, 7-3

Ohio Northern 26, #11 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 22
125 – Andrew Ortega (ER) dec. Jason VanAtta, 2-1
133 – Franky Villaescusa (ER) maj. dec. Jeff Penny, 13-3
141 – Ryan Luu (ER) maj. dec. Kyle King, 8-0
149 – Mick Letcher (ONU) dec. Isai Gomez, 13-6
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) won by fall over Tyler Chang, 1:55
165 – Billy Painter (ONU) tech. fall Clark Hensley, 3:50
174 – Eli Arismendez (ER) tech. fall Collin Swick, 5:15
184 – Matt Alexander (ONU) won by forfeit
197 – Ryan Van Doren (ER) won by fall over Drew Michel, 2:15
HWT -  Joe Fisher (ONU) won by fall over Dan Brutinel, 2:40