LAS VEGAS – West Coast native Will Bardezbain led Kent State on day one of the 36th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational Friday. Bardezbain won his first three matches of the 125-pound bracket, including an 18-15 thriller over No. 4 seed, Dalton Macri (North Carolina).
The Flashes also had success in the lighter weights from junior Anthony Tutolo at 133. Tutolo drew an opening round bye, before defeating West Virginia's Matt Schmitt 6-4. He fell to No. 1 seed Stevan Micic (Michigan), but bounced back with a 5-1 win over Armando Torres (Eastern Michigan).