Wrestling team has 1-3 record at Comet Duals

The Olivet College wrestling team began its season today with a 1-3 record at the 2006 Comet Duals. The Comets, who entered the season ranked 13th in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Preseason Top 30 poll, defeated Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio) College, 34-6, and fell to #9 North Central (Ill) College (30-12), #15 Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (24-21) and #3 Univ. of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (33-8).

Against Baldwin-Wallace, Olivet won nine-of-10 matches. Recording victories by pin were senior heavyweight Josh Beischer (Capac), 3:55; and freshman 174-pounder Darrick Parker (Bangor), 3:14. Sophomore 157-pounder Jason Brew (Sparta) won by major decision, 11-1. The remaining six wins were by minor decision -- freshman 125-pounder Blair Mellish (Silverwood/North Branch), 11-9; sophomore 133-pounder David Szokola (Marysville), 8-3; freshman 141-pounder Nick Leon (Sterling Heights/Henry Ford II), 3-0; freshman 165-pounder Matt Swab (Mason), 7-3; sophomore 184-pounder Joe Troncone (Macomb/Center Line), 4-1; and junior 197-pounder Tucker Surbrook (Potterville), 5-4.

Against North Central, sophomore 141-pounder Rob Yahrmarkt (Sparta) pinned his opponent in 2:30. Also winning were sophomore 125-pounder Kyle Labrecque (Battle Creek/Lakeview), 4-2; and senior 197-pounder Jeff Wright (Escanaba), 6-5.

Against Stevens Point, Szokola and Yahrmarkt each won by forfeit. Freshman Sean Misko (Richmond) won by pin in 3:11, while Mellish earned a minor decision win, 6-4. Labrecque along with freshman 133-pounder Blake Gardner (Mount Morris) picked-up major decision wins against LaCrosse. Labrecque shutout his opponent, 9-0, and Gardner won 15-2.

The Comets are now idle until Saturday, Dec. 2, when it participates in the Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology Invitational. Action gets under way at 9:30 a.m.