Men's wrestling places second at Blithe Duals

Archived Photo // Quinn Natschke

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a field of eight teams, the Albion College men's wrestling team took second overall at the Blithe Duals over the two-day tournament. The Britons went 4-2 in duals, with their only two losses coming against national power, UW-Eau Claire.

On Friday, Albion went 2-1 overall. The day opened with a 37-14 win over St. Ambrose. Back to back pins from Benyamin Kamali (3:16) and Austin Matheney (2:15) gave the Brits 12 quick points. Following a forfeit, Albion held an 18-0 advantage heading into the 149 bout.

Sophomore Max Honiss picked up a 15-5 major decision. St. Ambrose won the next two matches, but Jack Smith gave Albion the momentum back with an 11-4 victory at 174. Capping off the match at 285, Owen Miller continued his dominance with a fall in 2:23.

In their second match, the Brits fell to UW-Eau Claire, 35-3. Albion's lone win came at 285 in exciting fashion. Sophomore CJ Krum earned a 3-2 tiebreaker victory over his opponent.

Wrapping up Friday, Albion defeated Defiance College, 42-9. In between a pair of forfeits was Matheney's second win of the day – a 10-7 gritty performance at 133. With a fall in 2:57, Honiss earned six points for Albion at 149.

The Britons would go on to lock up the final five bouts of the match. Peyton Brooks took the 165 bout with a 19-8 major decision. Owen McDaniel pinned his opponent in 6:29 before Bode Brown dominated his way to an 18-2 tech fall at 197. Krum won the final match by a pin – coming in 1:02.

Starting Saturday off with a win, the Brits defeated Wheaton College, 30-18. Similar to what's worked all season, Albion started the day with wins from Kamali and Matheney. Following a Thunder win at 141, Honiss got Albion back on track with a 7-2 win for the sophomore. Brooks wrestled his way to a fall (4:25) at 165, before Miller eventually sealed the match with a quick pin in the heavyweight.

Facing off against the Liberty University club team, the Brits grinded their way to a 21-19 win in the semifinals. Matheney, a freshman, earned yet another pin, this one coming in 6:14. Honiss, Brooks and McDaniel won their weight classes at 149, 165 and 184. Despite Albion dropping the final two matches, their lead was just large enough to earn the win.

The Blugolds were in full control in the championship match, winning 47–0.

Albion's men's team will be idle until after the new year, when they open MIAA action. On Jan. 3, the Brits head to Adrian College for a 7 p.m. dual.

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Players Mentioned

Bode Brown: 197; Sophomore

Max Honiss: 149; Sophomore

CJ Krum: 285; Sophomore

Owen McDaniel: 184; Sophomore

Owen Miller: 285; Redshirt Senior

Austin Matheney: 133; Freshman

Peyton Brooks: 165; Freshman

Jack Smith: 174; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Bode Brown
: Sophomore
: 197

Max Honiss
: Sophomore
: 149

CJ Krum
: Sophomore
: 285

Owen McDaniel
: Sophomore
: 184

Owen Miller
: Redshirt Senior
: 285

Austin Matheney
: Freshman
: 133

Peyton Brooks
: Freshman
: 165

Jack Smith
: Freshman
: 174