OLIVET, Mich.—Olivet College, ranked No. 13 in this week's National Wrestling Coaches' Association Division III poll, tallied 17 consecutive points to overcome a deficit at the midway point to take a 27-19 victory Thursday night over Adrian College at the Cutler Event Center.
Adrian took a 15-10 lead after senior co-captain Zach Rieger used a late takedown to nip Jalen McFerrin-Pace, 3-1, at 285 pounds. Rieger has won 18 consecutive outings to improve to 24-1 on the season.
The Comets, however, gained six points for a forfeit win at 125 to spark four wins in as many bouts to clinch the team win. Spencer Fox, Dean Roberts and Cole Hersch picked up decisions to give Olivet a 27-15 lead.
Sophomore Dylan Steward accounted for the final points with a 13-2 major decision over Olivet's John Leark, but Adrian ran out of time in the eight-point defeat.
Freshmen Michael Jacobs and Jake Burns also gave the Bulldogs a lead with their respective victories at 174 and 197. Jacobs won by injury default for a 6-5 AC lead and two bouts later, Burns pinned Clayton Higelmire in 2 minutes and 7 seconds for a 12-10 advantage. After missing the first half of the season with an injury, Burns has improved to 7-1--all wins via pinfall--to start his Adrian career
Rieger's triumph handed Adrian its biggest lead of the night.
The Bulldogs hit the mat again on Friday, Jan. 26, at the Pete Willson Invitational hosted by Wheaton (Ill.) College.
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