Wrestling team beats No. 1 ranked Grand Valley, 26-18

The Olivet College wrestling team defeated Grand Valley State University, 26-18, this afternoon at the Upton Center in Olivet. GVSU entered the match ranked No. 1 in the latest National Collegiate Wrestling Association Coaches' Poll, while the Comets are No. 17 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Poll.

Olivet won six-of-10 matches, including one by forfeit, one by pin and two by major decision. Junior Kyle Labrecque (Battle Creek/Lakeview) received a forfeit victory at 125 pounds.

Freshman Adam Wilson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) followed with a thrilling 3-2 win at 133 pounds. Wilson won the match with an escape in the third period. Freshman 141-pounder Ben Hitchcock (New Lathrop/Montrose) put six team points on the scoreboard with a first period pin in 1:48.

Junior Jason Brew (Sparta) and senior Daron Cruickshank (Inkster/John Glenn) posted major decision wins at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively. Brew won by a 16-8 score, while Cruickshank posted a 10-2 victory. Junior Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) scored the final three team points with a 6-2 win at 174 pounds.

The Comets are back in action Wednesday, Jan. 30, when they wrestle at Muskegon Community College. Action gets under way at 7 p.m. This weekend, Olivet will participate in Pete Willson Invitational, which is being hosted by Wheaton (Ill.) College.