Wrestling team posts 3-1 record at Comet Duals

Holm and Pederson each win four matches 

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College wrestling team posted a 3-1 record at its annual Comet Duals today inside The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. The Comets won three straight matches, 31-9 over Muskegon Community College, 26-9 over Ohio Northern University and 19-15 over University of Wis.-Whitewater. The Comets ended the day with a tough 22-12 loss to Indiana Tech.

Olivet won eight of 10 matches against Muskegon. Freshman Kyle Gillies (Westland/John Glenn) posted an 8-3 win at 125 pounds. After the Jayhawks won by fall at 133 pounds, senior Justin Holm (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) earned those team points back with a forfeit win at 141 pounds.

Senior Gage Pederson (Hastings) recorded a 14-6 major decision win at 149 pounds, followed by junior Kyle Witgen (Romeo) with an 18-3 technical fall victory at 157 pounds. Following a 9-4 loss at 165 pounds, the Comets closed the match with four straight wins by junior Nick Allen (Scotville/Mason County Central), 12-2, at 174 pounds; senior Jeff Holm (Battle Creek/Harper Creek), 5-1, at 184 pounds; senior Andrew Simpson (Tecumseh), 4-0, at 197 pounds; and junior Ryan Steverson (Lake Odessa/Lakewood), 3-2, at 285 pounds.

Olivet also won eight matches against Ohio Northern. Senior Henry McKeown (Bellevue/Olivet) got the match started with a 3-0 win at 125 pounds. Senior Michael Gancer (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) used the riding time point at the end of his match to win 3-2 at 133 pounds.

Justin Holm earned a 6-0 shutout win at 141 pounds, while Pederson won by major decision, 14-6, at 149 pounds. Witgen kept the winning going with a 13-9 decision at 157 pounds. Junior Dan Fleet (Ada/Lowell) won 5-1 at 165 pounds. Following a 7-3 loss at 174 pounds, Jeff Holm posted 12-4 major decision win at 184 pounds. Sophomore Thomas Hall (Fife Lake/Forest Area) needed a takedown in the third period to gain a 4-2 win at 197 pounds.

The Comets earned wins in six matches against Wis.-Whitewater, who is ranked No. 8 in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. Gillies scored a late reversal to secure a 5-3 win at 125 pounds. The Warhawks tied the match on an 8-3 win at 133 pounds.

Justin Holm put Olivet back ahead with an 8-3 decision at 141 pounds. Pederson added four more points to the Comets' team score with his third major decision win of the day, this time the score was 14-4. After losing 4-2 at 157 pounds, Olivet claimed wins in three straight matches – 3-1 by Fleet at 165 pounds, 3-2 by Allen at 174 pounds and 3-2 by Jeff Holm at 184 pounds – to secure its win.

The Comets won four matches against Indiana Tech. McKeown scored a takedown in third period to rally for a 5-3 win at 125 pounds. Pederson stayed perfect on the day with a 6-1 decision at 149 pounds. Senior Connor Sharp (Schoolcraft) needed the one point for point to eke out a 7-6 win at 174 pounds. Jeff Holm also won his fourth match with a 3-2 win at 184 pounds.

Olivet is now idle until Saturday, Dec. 7, when it competes at the ONU Polar Bear Invitational in Ada, Ohio.