The Alma College wrestling team hosted #9 Olivet College on Tuesday evening in what would become an extremely close and thrilling dual. The final score of the match was 16-15 in favor of Alma College, bringing the Scots' record to 9-6 on the season.
"I'm not sure how a coach could possibly be any prouder than our entire staff is of this team right now," said Head Coach Todd Hibbs. "To lose 49-0 one year ago, and then come back and do this tonight is absolutely unbelievable."
The Scot wrestlers did not waste any time getting the night started when they took a 6-0 lead right off the bat. So. Tyler Foley (New Hudson, Mich./South Lyon East) won a 9-3 decision at 125 pounds and teammate So. Colin Lesko (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) took a 7-1 victory from his #13-ranked opponent at 133 pounds.
Olivet came back to tie the match at 6-6 with wins in the next two matches but Fr. Shawn Brewer (New Boston, Mich./Huron) scored a late takedown in his bout at 157 pounds for a 3-1 victory and a 9-6 Scots lead headed into the break.
In a duel that saw four total ties, Fr. Drew Barnes (Dexter, Mich./Dexter) took the mat with the score deadlocked at nine points a piece and wrestled in what would become the most controversial bout of the night, pulling out an 11-10 victory, making the team score 12-9 in favor of Alma College. Heading into the last bout of the night, the Comets had a three-point advantage at 15-12. Fr. Adam Robinson (Mason, Mich./Mason) wrestled very well at 285 pounds and held on for a 2-1 riding-time win over his opponent to tie the score at 15-15.
Overall, each team won five bouts on the night to deadlock the score. Since neither team had earned any bonus points, the criteria that was utilized to break the tie was most match points scored by a team. Alma outscored the visiting Comets 52-48 in match points, giving them an additional team point per NCAA rules and the ultimate victory by a score of 16-15.
The Scots will next compete in the Mid-States Conference Championships, hosted by Alma College taking place Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
