OLIVET, Mich.--Led by impressive performances from junior co-captain Zach Rieger and freshmen Drew Mandell, Dylan Steward, the Adrian College men's wrestling team scored 80 points to finish in fourth place at the eight-team Mid-States Conference Tournament on Saturday. The event was hosted by Olivet College at the Cutler Event Center.

Rieger and Mandell won individual championships in their respective weight classes at heavyweight and 149 pounds, respectively. Mandell was voted the MSC Freshman of the Tournament by the coaches. In the 157 finals, Steward lost a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to Nick Bova (Wasbash College) who is the fourth-ranked wrestler at his position in NCAA Division III by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Mandell bested Javon Phillips (Manchester) in his title bout in exciting fashion, earning his second pin in a row in 5 minutes and 51 seconds. Mandell finished 4-0 on the day.

Rieger also won four matches in four starts, culminating with a 3-1 decision in his championship bout against Sam Hipple of Wabash. Two of his four wins came via pinfall. Sophomore Clarence Kennedy placed sixth at heavyweight after going 2-3.

Steward's runner-up day consisted of a 2:12 pinfall versus Olivet's Nicholas Worden and 8-4 decision with Wabash's Connor Guzior before his match against Bova.

Sophomore Ty Jasman (4-2) made fifth place at 149, including a 6-4 decision over Lincoln Kyle from Wabash.

Classmate Dominic Paterra, a co-captain, received a fifth place at 133.

Other individual award winners include Bova (Wabash), Most Outstanding Wrestler, and teammate Darden Schrug, Most Falls in Least Time.

Nationally No. 15-ranked Wabash won the team title with 190 points, followed by No. 17 and host Olivet with 121.

Adrian hits the mat again in two weeks at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Championships in North Manchester, Ind.; The Saturday, Feb. 25 event is hosted by Manchester University.

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