Jackets get back on the mats at Alma Open

ALMA, Mich. - Defiance College's wrestling team returned to action on Sunday with an open invitational hosted by Alma College. The Yellow Jackets had three wrestlers compete with a pair of grapplers finishing 1-2 on the day.

Competing in the program's second match of the year, 45-year-old freshman Brian Swinehart earned his first college win during the opening round of the 165-pound open bracket. Swinehart, a Covington, Ohio native, pinned Adrian's Treyeonn Clark in just 48 seconds. Swinehart was defeated by fall in his second match before losing a 9-2 decision is the consolation bracket to finish his day 1-2. Swinehart is now 1-4 through two tournaments this season.

Liberty Center grad Drew Matthews also earned a victory in his first contest of the day, a 3-2 decision over host Alma's Gage Vincent. Matthews lost his next two bouts by decision to end the day 1-2. Matthew is now 5-5 through three outings this year.

Brilliance Swift of Pell City, Ala. made his first appearance on the mats for DC in the heavyweight division. Swift, also a member of the football team, was defeated by fall in his first-round match and was later defeated via pin in the consolation to end 0-2 for the open.

The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Feb. 1 at Henry Ford College for the Whizzer Open, which is the team's final tune-up before heading to the WHAC Championships on Feb. 15.

-JACKETS-