Battista Takes Title At Cleveland State Open

CLEVELAND – Michael Battista claimed the title at 197 pounds to lead a group of three Virginia wrestlers in competition at the Cleveland State Open on Sunday.

Battista went undefeated on the day with a 4-0 record that included a pair of decisions by a comfortable margin to start the day before grinding out a 7-6 decision over sixth-year wrestler Anthony Perrine of host Cleveland State and a 7-5 decision over Evan Bates of Northwestern to claim the title.

It was the second title of the season for Battista who also won the Mountaineer Invitational and also placed at the Southeast Open to start the year.

Kyren Butler posted a 3-2 record on the day at 141 pounds, while Krystian Kinsey went 1-2 at 184 pounds to wrap up the day for Cavalier wrestlers in the competition.

141
Kyren Butler
R32: Butler tech fall D’Andre Evans (Toledo), 18-3 (7:00)
R16: Dylan Chappell (unattached) dec. Butler, 5-2
Conso. R8-1: Butler dec. Christian White (Purdue), 8-3
Conso. R8-2: Butler major dec. Billy Meiszner (Kent State), 13-3
Conso. R4: Caleb Rea (Cleveland State) dec. Butler, 10-4

184
Krystian Kinsey
R16: Kinsey major dec. Alan Baxter (Kent State), 15-4
QF: Rylan Rogers (Michigan) dec. Kinsey (11-7
Conso. R8-2: DeAndre Nassar (Cleveland State) dec. Kinsey, 3-2

197
Michael Battista – Champion
R16: Battista dec. Austin Starr (Ohio), 9-2
QF: Battista dec. Cade Dallwitz (Central Michigan), 11-4
SF: Battista dec. Anthony Perrine (Cleveland State), 7-6
FINAL: Battista dec. Evan Bates (Northwestern), 7-5