Redshirt freshman Kyle Conel poses for a portrait in the M.A.C. Annex on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016.
After spending last season redshirting and participating solely in open tournaments, he was able to earn a starting position for the Flashes at their wrestle-offs in late October.
Fast-forward three months and the first-year starter is enjoying a 20-5 season with an undefeated record in dual matches, and is on an 11-match winning streak.
After defeating ranked opponents, winning the Lock Haven Classic title and helping Kent State to an 11-3 record (4-1 in the MAC), Conel has gone from unranked and unknown to one of the best 197-pounders in the country.