OLIVET, Mich. - In their first head-to-head meeting of the season, the Trine University wrestling team fell to their rival Olivet College 31-10. The Thunder are now 2-10 on the season in dual matches.
Olivet came into the match ranked 16th in the nation and seven individually ranked wrestlers.
Trine senior Elias Larson (Chicago, Ill./Marion Catholic), the top ranked wrestler in Division III at 157 pounds easily defeated Kyle Witgen 13-1. At 174 pounds, eight ranked Trine senior Ryan Pieper (Onsted, Mich./Onsted) defeated Connor Sharp 9-3. Also earning a win for the Thunder was sophomore Brandon Preston (Logansport, Ind./Logansport). Preston, who currently ranks 25th in the 125 weight class, took down Esteban Gonzales 7-5.
The Thunder also dropped two close overtime matches to the Comets. The first came in the 133 class as freshman Nick Ader (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) fell 4-2 to Michael Gancer who is ranked 10th nationally. At 141 pounds freshman Josh Blanton (Alexandria, Ind./Alexandria) dropped his match 11-7 in the extra period to 16th ranked Kenny Richmond.
Trine will next travel to Wisconsin for the Border Brawl Duals beginning at 10:30 a.m. (cst) on January 26th.