Ashland University Eagles Wrestling competed at the Findlay Open on Saturday Nov. 21. The meet hosted more than 300 wrestlers from 20 different schools.

Returning for AU in the 197-weight class is national title contender Joe Brant. After redshirting during the 2014-2015 season, Brant comes back to the mat ranked first in his weight class.

“Besides being the team captain, Joe is the guy who is going to be working the hardest in the room,” said head wrestling coach Josh Hutchens. “He pushes everyone around him. Having him out there, pushing the pace in matches and doing that if front of everyone else who is going to compete after him I think really helps a lot.”

The focus is different when you are redshirting as a wrestler. Hutchens says as redshirts, his athletes can be more laid back and have a mindset of preparing to start the following season and focus on obtaining a national championship. Brant’s decision to redshirt was primarily to focus on further training in the sport.

“I decided that it might be best just for my athletic performance to stick around for another year and get a whole year of extra training in, and heal up some injuries,” said Brant.

Due to an injury, Brant was unable to compete at their meet at Michigan State Open, so this was Brant’s first competition in a few weeks.

“I’m still a little banged up and I found out I have to work on my conditioning a little bit, but overall I am happy with my performance,” said Brant. “I just got to trust in myself and keep pushing.”

Brant’s performance over the weekend allowed him to finish runner-up in the 197-weight class. He defeated Findlay’s Gerald Beck in a 2-1 decision in the semifinal match before falling to Ohio State’s Kollin Moore in a 3-2 decision in the finals.

“Everyone wants to be ranked first in the country,” said Brant. “My sophomore year I was also ranked first, but I took it the wrong way and it became a burden against me. My goal coming into this year is to wrestle the way I know how and not put a target on my own back, have fun and put less pressure on myself.”

Senior Michael Labry also finished runner up in his performance. Despite going 42-2 last season, Labry made the decision to redshirt the 2015-2016 this year but will continue to compete unattached.

“Since he is redshirting, Michael is wrestling up a weight class, so he is facing some good competition,” said Hutchens. “He is competing against bigger and stronger guys, but he is doing really well.”

Labry was able to defeat teammate, junior Bobby Mason in the semifinal match in an 8-1 decision but lost in the final match for his 141-weight class in a 5-2 decision against Ohio State’s Ke-Shawn Hayes. 

Both Labry and Brant fell to the same Ohio State opponents during a meet earlier in the preseason.

Before falling to Labry, Mason came out on top in his match versus Notre Dame’s Andrew Bannister. Despite winning this match through a medical forfeit, Mason was still able to claim the third place title.

The freshman class proved to find success over the weekend as well and Coach Hutchens says he is excited to see their potential as the season progresses.

“One thing I try to recruit is motivation,” said Hutchens. “Abilities will only take you so far, especially in wrestling because it is an effort based sport. You have to work hard everyday and even if you back off a little bit, you will see a difference in your results.” 

Christian Price, in the 165-weight class, took third place after advancing through the entire bracket. He was able to obtain the third place award after defeating Lake Erie’s Matt Vandermeer.

Another freshman, Jerry Fenner III placed seventh for the Eagles in the 133-wieghtclass. After losing his first match in a 4-1 decision to Notre Dame’s Davis Berry, he came back advancing through four consolation rounds. His final match was a win over West Liberty University’s Dominic Vagnier in a 10-2 majority. 

“I’ll tell you what,” said Brant. “This is my fifth year and over all the freshman classes, this class is probably the most focused. They are extremely goal oriented and put in the extra work. These guys are all making the right decisions and doing the right things and that helps the whole team. 

The Eagles will look to host their home opener against Pitt-Johnstown at Kate’s Gymnasium on Dec. 10 at 7p.m. 

“They are always a touch dual and they are a great program,” said Brant. “It will be interesting to see how we do with Labry and Luke Crammer redshirting and how we will those gaps in. I think we can have a pretty successful team but this will be one of the toughest challenges of the year.”