No. 20 UOlivet defeats No. 25 Albion, 26-19, in showdown for first place in MIAA
February 6, 2025
OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet wrestling team won a battle for first place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings, defeating Albion College, 26-19, this evening inside the Cutler Event Center. With the win, the Comets clinch a share of the 2025 MIAA championship.
THE BASICS
- Final Score: No. 20 Olivet 26, No. 25 Albion 19
- Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
- Records: Olivet 12-6 overall, 3-0 MIAA; Albion 6-7 overall, 2-1 MIAA
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Albion won the coin toss and chose the odd matches. Olivet then elected to start the match at 197 pounds. The Comets got off to a quick start with a pin. The Britons answered with a pin to even the team score at 6-6.
- Olivet then won the next four weights – two by major decision (125 & 133) and two by minor decision (141 & 149) – to make the score 20-6. Albion responded with a major decision at 157 pounds to cut its deficit down to 10 points.
- The Comets sealed their win with a pin at 165 pounds. The Britons ended the match with a minor decision at 174 pounds and pin at 184 pounds.
FOR THE COMETS
- At 197 pounds, senior Kody Krupp got Olivet to a quick start with a first-period pin at two minutes and nine seconds.
- At 125 pounds, senior Benyamin Kamali won a 14-4 major decision.
- At 133 pounds, senior Robert Davids posted a 16-4 major decision.
- At 141 pounds, senior Dylan Phelps recorded an 8-2 minor decision.
- At 149 pounds, senior Tyler Herrema earned a 9-2 minor decision victory.
- At 165 pounds, sophomore Juwan Vines went down to start the second period and quickly used a move to take the opponent to his back for a pin 21 seconds into the period.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Tonight's match was the 13th all-time meeting between the Comets and Britons.
- Olivet now leads the series, 8-5.
- The Comets outscored the Britons, 339-251, in the 13 matches.
- Before the match, Olivet recognized its 13 seniors.
UP NEXT
- The Comets are off until next Thursday, February 13, when they wrestle at Adrian College for their final MIAA dual match. Action begins at 7 p.m. With a win, Olivet would secure the 15th MIAA wrestling championship in school history and the first since 2022.
