The Bobcats conquered the "Grudge Match."
From the first whistle, Ohio dominated Kent State 43-2 on Sunday afternoon, winning the "Grudge Match" — a trophy between the two teams. Ohio hadn't won the trophy since 2014.
Ohio’s first points came from redshirt freshman Bailey Faust in the 197 lbs. weight class as Faust pinned his opponent in the third period after already controlling the match 6-2 before the pin.
A domino effect ensued as the Bobcats went on to win the next five of the following six matches against the Golden Flashes. Nationally ranked in the NCAA coaches’ panel, sophomore Shakur Laney (125 lbs.) earned a quick pin less than a minute into the first period and Ohio, after a forfeit at the 133 lbs from Kent State as well as a dominating win from redshirt junior Noah Forrider, was quick to go up 25-0 over the Golden Flashes.
Kent State’s lone victory came in the 157 weight class as redshirt junior Cullen Cummings lost 3-2.
Out of all of the matches Sunday, perhaps the most aggressive came from Arsen Ashughyan. In the 174 lbs. weight class, the redshirt sophomore wrestled with Kent's Jairod James before James punched Ashughyan in the face with five seconds remaining. James was disqualified.
The competition ended when Donta McGee, a redshirt freshman (184 lbs.), earned a quick pin to seal the win.
The "Grudge Match" trophy will be heading back home to Athens as the Bobcats prepare for No. 18 Northern Iowa this Friday in The Convo.
