LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After a quick turnaround from a bout with No. 2 Iowa on Friday night, the Bellarmine University wrestling team bounced back with a 25-14 win over Kent State on Sunday afternoon in Knights Hall.
 
With the win, the Knights improve to 1-1 in duals this season while the loss drops the Golden Flashes to a 1-3 record in duals.
 
In what was all Bellarmine in the beginning, the dual turned out to be a battle to the end as Kent State made a push to topple the Knights.
 
"Today was a great reflection of the soul of our team," head coach Ned Shuck said of his team's effort. "It wasn't the prettiest of duals, but they clawed and scratched through adversity to get it done."
 
Starting with the 149 lb. bout, the Golden Eagles took the first lead with a major decision, but Bellarmine quickly jumped them thanks to a pin by redshirt freshman Jeb Prechtel (157). Prechtel win ignited the Knights as senior Cole Nance (165), redshirt sophomore Grant O'Dell (174), redshirt senior Devan Hendricks (184) and redshirt freshman Andrew Liber (197) all won their matchups to put Bellarmine comfortably ahead, 21-4.
 
Kent State started its run with the heavyweights, taking a decision before winning the 125 lb. bout via major decision followed by another decision at 133 to close the gap to seven at 21-14.
 
Freshman David Mayora (141) had closing duties for the Knights and did just that, winning the final bout of the dual by major decision to secure the 25-14 victory for Bellarmine.
 
Up next, the Knights will take some time off before returning to the mat on December 7 at the Cougar Clash in Edwardsville, Il.
 
"I love how my team continues to focus on the right things. We have some great training time moving forward before our next competition and I'm excited to see how our guys attack where we have been exposed," Shuck added.
 
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Bellarmine (25) vs. Kent State (14)
149: Billy Meiszner (KSU) def. Zac Cowan (BU) by MD, 15-3
157: Jeb Prechtel (BU) def. Aaron Ferguson (KSU) by Fall, 3:45
165: Cole Nance (BU) def. Ethan Barr (KSU) by DEC, 12-7
174: Grant O'Dell (BU) def. Carson Miller (KSU) by MD, 14-3
184: Devan Hendricks (BU) def. Holden Martin (KSU) by DEC, 6-1
197: Andrew Liber (BU) def. Corey Boerio (KSU) by TF, 15-0
285: Brentan Simmerman (KSU) def. Daulton Mayer (BU) by DEC, 9-5
125: Nico Calello (KSU) def. Jack Parker (BU) by MD, 14-4
133: Jordan Decatur (KSU) def. Trayce Eckman (BU) by DEC, 9-8
141: David Mayora (BU) def. Mason Tieffel (KSU) by MD, 13-5