ITHACA, N.Y. - Army senior captain Matt Kyler wrestled his way to first place at 149 pounds to lead the Black Knights at the Body Bar Invitational, hosted by Cornell.
Army finished 10th out of 12 teams in the field with 39.5 points. Kent State won the team championship with 147.5 points, followed by a tie for second between the host Big Red and Maryland (109), Wyoming (92), Binghamton (61.5), Buffalo (54), Clarion (51.5), Columbia (49), Drexel (45), the Black Knights, Ithaca (32.5) and Sacred Heart (16).
"I'm proud of the way Matt wrestled today against some tough competition," said Army head coach Chuck Barbee. "However, it was a pretty frustrating day for the rest of the guys. I'm looking forward to seeing how our guys rebound this week as we get ready for a strong challenge from Bucknell on Tuesday night."
Ranked seventh nationally in this week's 149-pound national polls, Kyer received the top seed for Saturday's tournament. He started things off with a pin of Ithaca's Evan Connors (4:42), before taking a 7-2 decision over eighth-seeded Cole Dallasera from Wyoming to move onto the championship semifinals.
Kyler earned a 10-4 decision opposite Columbia's Steve Santos to move on to the championship match where he squared off with second-seeded Matt Cathell of Kent State, who was ranked 12th in this week's national poll.
Kyler would improve to 8-1 this season with a fall at the 2:19 mark of the first period to take the title after finishing second a year ago. He also finished third in the 141-pound division as a sophomore after finishing runner-up in the same weight class as a freshman.
Army will host a pair of dual meets for its next two competitions, starting this Tuesday when Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association foe Bucknell pays a visit to Gillis Field House for a 7:30 p.m. showdown. On Dec. 10, the Black Knight will host Rider for a dual scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
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