Wrestling celebrates Senior Night with comeback to upset (RV) Friends 28-20

Benedictine Wrestling closed its home schedule on Friday night with an upset over (RV) Friends University inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

The Ravens, who celebrated Senior Night before the dual, earned a 28-20 win over the Falcons as they closed out the night winning the final three contested matches by fall.

Calvin Miller (133 pounds) earned the first win of the night for the Ravens with an 8-6 decision. The Ravens dropped the next two matches before the dual's momentum began to switch.

Zach Kottenstette (157 pounds) and Cullen Bruner (165 pounds) launched the comeback for the Ravens as they earned a 7-0 and 6-5 decision. Bruner trailed 5-1 headed to the final period and rallied to score 3 points in the final 10 seconds – which included a 2-point takedown to tie the match. Bruner earned the win after earning the go-ahead point with ride time.

The back-to-back wins pulled the Ravens within striking distance, trailing 15-10, with four matches remaining.

Bricen Lee (174 pounds) earned a second-period win by fall to put the Ravens ahead 16-15 before the Ravens forfeited the match at 184 pounds to make it 20-16 Friends.

In his match, Sean Stara (184 pounds) answered the bell for the Ravens. After a controversial decision by the official awarded Stara a point early in the match for an illegal hold, the Raven faithful rallied behind Stara and ignited the atmosphere inside the gymnasium. Stara fed off that atmosphere and rallied for a third-period win by fall to put Benedictine back in the lead 22-20.

Garrett St. Clair (285 pounds) made his season debut for the Ravens and made his final appearance inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium count. He seized the match's momentum early and finished off the Falcons with a first-period win by fall.

Benedictine hits the road to close out the regular season with three Heart duals on Jan. 30 at Graceland University, Feb. 1 at William Penn University, and Feb. 6 at Central Methodist University. 

www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu