Green helps Trine University to fifth place finish

Published 11:07 am Sunday, February 16, 2014

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — Mack Green won the 285-pound title at the Mid-States Tournament to lead Trine University’s wrestling team to a fifth place finish Saturday at Chadwick Court.

Green (Buchanan) won four matches on the day to pick up the title. The junior started his day with a pin of Alma’s Trevor Willnow in 2:19. Green picked up a pair of wins by decision to advance to the championship match, where he faced off with Olivet’s Ryan Steverson. Green was able to pick up the win by 2-0 decision to take home first-place in the heavyweight division. The victories bring Green’s season-record to 27-6 overall.

Brandon Preston (Logansport, Ind.) advanced to the championship of the 133-pound class, finish second. The junior pinned Alma’s Ali Ayache in 2:08 and followed that up with a pin of Justin Kohn of Heidelberg in 1:02 to advance to the championship. Preston gave Alma’s Zachary Case a tough match, but fell by 5-3 decision. Preston is 23-12 on the season.

Michael Conner (Zionsville, Ind.) added a third-place finish in the 197-pound class. Conner went 4-1 on the day to run his overall record to 25-11. Conner picked up wins by decision and major decision before getting pinned by Olivet’s Rodney Harvey to drop into the consolation bracket. After another win by decision, Conner defeated Ohio Northern’s Kody Bellamy by 3-1 decision to claim third-place.

Paced by the performances of Green, Preston and Conner, the Thunder racked up 55 points to place fifth in the tournament. Five first place finishes led eighth-ranked Wabash to the team title with 170 points.