Article: #3 Wabash Routs Olivet on Opening Night

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There is nothing quite like a little homecoming especially when you are away at college. While the three Lefever brothers didn't get some of ole Nancy's home cooking or their laundry done they got to wrestle in front of a big crowd one last time in their home gym. Back where it all started all three had dominating wins with the twins(Reece at 157 and Conner at 174) both earning pins, while returning national champion Riley had a major decision. Those three wins helped the Little Giants cruise to a 33-7 victory over the visiting Olivet Comets.

 

The night started out with former Perry Meridian Falcon Jacob Cottey taking the mat and losing a tough 7-2 match after getting the first takedown. At 133lbs, Chandler Moore had an impressive 11-5 decision in his first collegiate action. He narrowly missed the major giving up a late reversal.

 

With the team score knotted at 3, Michael Venezia came away with a 9-1 major decision for Wabash’s first lead of the night. From there, another Perry product, Nick Bova squeaked out an 8-7 victory on riding time at 149lbs.

 

At 157lbs, returning two-time All-American Reece Lefever had very little trouble disposing of his Comet opponent in just under two minutes. With Wabash up 16-3 the victories kept pouring on with Ethan Farmer tilling up an 11-3 victory at 165lbs.

 

The 174lbs match was supposed to be one of the better ones of the night with two top 5 ranked wrestlers butting heads. However, Conner Lefever didn’t waste much time and disposed of Nicholas Allen in 1:33 to confirm his higher ranking and get a little edge on twin brother Reece.

 

After an undefeated freshman season Riley Lefever took the mat looking to build upon his success. He garnered four first period takedowns en route to a 16-4 major decision. At 197lbs, Wabash’s Brett Thumm overcame a 6-2 first period deficit to win 11-9 on a late takedown and nearfall. Olivet’s Jesse Judge cruised to a 11-1 major decision at heavyweight to give Olivet their second win on the night.

 

125- Michael Schmidt (Olivet) over Jacob Cottey (Wabash

133- Chandler Moore (Wabash) over Matt Darling (Olivet)

141- Michael Venezia (Wabash) over Dominick Trevino (Olivet)

149- Nick Bova (Wabash) over Kyle Witgen (Olivet)

157- Reece Lefever (Wabash) over Ross Pennock (Olivet)

165- Ethan Farmer (Wabash) over Frederick Findeisen (Olivet)

174- Conner Lefever (Wabash) over Nicholas Allen (Olivet)

184- Riley Lefever (Wabash) over Justin Johnson (Olivet)

197- Brett Thumm (Wabash) over Thomas Hall (Olivet)

285- Jesse Judge (Olivet) over Conner Smith (Wabash)

 

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