Wagers win, Freeman runner-up at Fairmont Open

Rio Grande Sports Information
     FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Bruce Wagers won the championship in his weight division, while Mackandle Freeman was the runner-up in his bracket, leading the University of Rio Grande men's wrestling team in Saturday's Fairmont State Open at the Feaster Center.
     Wagers, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, made quick work of his three opponents in the 285-pound class, winning each match by fall.
     After receiving a first-round bye, Wagers pinned Justin Bishop of host Fairmont State in just 15 seconds before also taking out Fairmont State's Tyler Wise by fall at the 0:50 mark of their semifinal match.
     Wagers upended Wheeling University's Gavin Harper at the 1:25 mark of their championship bout.
     Freeman, a senior from Point Plesant, W.Va., posted three wins in the 157-pound division before falling in the title match.
     His day began by pinning Thomas More University's Hunter Isaacs at the 3:45 mark of their second round match before advancing by medical forfeit over Glenville State University's Tommy Reed in the quarterfinal round.
     Freeman also posted an 11-2 major decision over Ryan Yocum of St. Vincent College in the semifinal round before dropping an 8-1 decision at the hands of Glenville State's Moses Eads in the title match.
     The RedStorm also got a fifth-place finish at 197 pounds from senior Ashton Simison (Enon, OH).
     Simison started the day by pinning Zach Watson from Thomas More at the 1:01 mark of their match, but was bumped into the consolation bracket after being pinned by Wheeling University's Jaxon Burcher at 6:49.
     Simison then reeled off three straight wins in the consolation bracket, posting a 20-3 technical fall triumph over Jeremiah Erickson of Seton Hill, a pin of Chase Smith from the Apprentice School at the 2:06 mark of their bout and a victory over Chase Stuchal of St. Vincent College at 4:04.
     Two other representatives of the RedStorm posted one win each.
     Sophomore Conner Blessing (Point Pleasant, WV) went 1-2 in the 141-pound bracket with the win coming by fall over Jasup Spragg of Fairmont State, while junior Pate Eastin (Granger, IN) went 1-2 at 165 pounds with his victory coming in a 15-0 technical fall triumph against Aiden Hutchins of Glenville State.
     Five other wrestlers saw action for Rio in the tournament, with all finishing 0-2.
     The quintet included freshman Jaydon DeHart (Ashland, KY) at 133 pounds, senior Kaylin Foust (Charlotte, NC) and freshman William Bush (Greenville, OH) at 157 pounds, freshman John Walters (Ashland, KY) at 165 pounds and freshman Malik Tufts (Columbus, OH) at 197 pounds.
     Rio Grande is scheduled to return to action next Saturday with a pair of dual meets at Georgetown College. The RedStorm will face the host Tigers as well as Lourdes University.