Wrestling | 11/20/2021 8:15:00 PM

2021 Findlay Open Results (West Liberty)
    FINDLAY, Ohio – West Liberty head coach Danny Irwin liked what he saw here Saturday as several Hilltopper wrestlers delivered impact performances at the prestigious Findlay Open, hosted by Findlay University inside the Oilers' Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex.
    Drake Kendrex led the way for the 20-man Hilltopper wrestling contingent as he made it all the way to the championship match of the 184-pound bracket before settling for runner-up honors. A number of West Liberty wrestlers posted impressive wins, with several knocking off NCAA Division I opponents, in a strong effort that put a smile on the face of head coach Danny Irwin.
    "I thought this was just a really good day all around," Irwin said. "It looks like we're starting to pick up a little steam in some areas as we finish this cycle of training."
    Kendrex started his run to the finals with a 4-0 shutout of Indianapolis' Robert Gurley and went on to hand Spencer Steiner of NCAA Division I Central Michigan a 10-5 loss in the championship quarterfinals. The Hilltopper standout received a medical forfeit win from Mercyhurst's nationally-ranked Luke McGonigal in the semifinal round before coming out on the short end of a 7-3 decision against Reece Woracheck of Wisconsin-Parkside in the 184-pound title bout.
    "Really happy for Drake," Irwin said. "His confidence is growing every week and he continues to extend his boundaries, which is fun to see."
    Kendrex said a renewed focus on technique combined with some well-directed motivation from the coaching staff were significant contributors to Saturday's success.
    "Over the years I've struggled with believing in myself but I feel like I'm starting to head in the right direction," Kendrex said. "I've been working on improving my wrestling technically and not focusing on all strength. Buying into what Coach Irwin tells us every day has helped me jump levels and get to the point where I'm starting to paint my picture the way I want it."
    Other highlights from a busy Saturday included senior Logan Kemp racking up back-to-back first-period falls to get to the quarterfinals of the 197-pound bracket where he rolled to a 19-10 major decision against three-time regional champion Nick Mason of Tiffin.
    Francesco Borsellino didn't give up a point in his two matches at 285, posting a 9-0 major decision against Ashland's Ty Petrey and following that up with a 3-0 shutout of Michigan State's Nick West.
    Ty McGeary also impressed in his two matches at 174 pounds. The 2021 MEC Freshman of the Year opened with a 5-2 win against Ryne Lewis of Notre Dame (Ohio) before rolling to a 7-0 whitewash of Cody Brenner from NCAA Division I Central Michigan.
    Defending 125-pound national champion Cole Laya dropped an overtime heartbreaker to eventual tournament champion Kurt McHenry of Michigan in his first match but rebounded with a major decision and first-period fall in his next two matches.
    Several other Hilltopper grapplers indulged in some serious bonus point hunting.
    Jacob Simpson was the busiest West Liberty wrestler, going 5-1 on the day to place sixth at 149 pounds. Two of Simpson's victories came by fall with another via major decision.
    Alec Cook won four matches in the 157-pound bracket, picking up a fall, a technical fall and a major decision to go along with a sudden-victory overtime decision.
    Jonah Smith, another 149-pounder, racked up the bonus points with a technical fall and two major decisions in his first three matches but fell short of the podium with a loss in the championship quarterfinal and fourth-round consolation.
    The Hilltoppers will get a few days respite over the Thanksgiving break but will have to hit the ground running when they return to campus as they prepare for one of the premier mid-season tournaments in the nation.
    "It's certainly not going to get any easier," Irwin said, "but we are embracing that challenge as we start turning our attention to our trip to South Carolina for the Carolina Clash the first weekend in December."
    Scheduled for Dec. 4 at Lander University's Finis Horne Arena in Greenwood, S.C., the inaugural Carolina Clash features several nationally-ranked squads highlighted by three-time defending national champion St. Cloud State (Minn.).