A weary John Carroll wrestling squad minus several starters slugged its way to a 24-14 win over Ohio Athletic Conference and crosstown rival Baldwin-Wallace on Tuesday night as three Blue Streak seniors went out winners in their final home match.
Note: The Blue Streaks' wrestling match against Ohio Athletic Conference and crosstown rival Baldwin-Wallace will be replayed three times on SportsTime Ohio The first airing will take place at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 4, with a second airing later on the same day at 6 p.m. The third and final time the match will be shown is 5 a.m. on Thursday, February 5. Check cable or satellite listings for the STO channel location.
Coming off a fifth-place showing at the Pete Willson Invitational over the weekend in which several of the Streaks appeared in five or more matches over a two-day period, a revamped line-up took to the mats at the DeCarlo Varsity Center against the Yellow Jackets.
Senior Elie Naoum picked up his 80th career win with a workmanlike 7-0 shutout of Jeremy Dombrady at 125 pounds.
The John Carroll coaching staff then became creative in filling out the spots at 133 and 141 pounds when starters Adam Kriwinsky and Clarence Semple were unable to go. Filling in at 133 was Greg Stolfer, a sophomore who had yet to wrestle competitively this season. A valiant effort by Stolfer could not hold off veteran Brian Bucher, as the Yellow Jacket junior won 5-0.
Kevin Nycz, a 125-pounder, was asked to fill the vacated 141 spot. He fell behind to Baldwin-Wallace's Eric Schubert 5-0 right off the bat and wound up on the short end of an 11-5 decision.
A second JCU senior picked up his 80th career win at 149 pounds. Dan Mizener led 14-2 after one period on his way to a second period technical fall by an 18-2 count.
Another unsung hero stepped up at 157. Mauricio Gonzalez, a freshman who had not wrestled since December 30 when he wrestled at 141 pounds in the Florida Citrus Duals, came through with a huge 6-1 win over senior Scott Haber.
Freshman Sean Gill, who had not seen competitive action since December 30 as well, started his first career match at the DeCarlo Varsity Center but was overwhelmed by veteran Joe Incorvaia, 11-1.
Shortly after, Baldwin-Wallace took a 14-11 team lead thanks to a major decision by Andrew Scavuzzo.
John Carroll was counting on Ben Adams to help reclaim the lead, but B-W's Korey leonard had other ideas. A shocking turn of events in the first period saw Leonard not only get a take down on Adams but turned his back to the mat for another two points and a 4-1 lead.
Adams eventually gained control, however, and scored the final eight points of the match for a more thrilling than expected 9-4 victory.
Once John Carroll fans and coaches were able to breathe again, senior Matt Harmon lowered the stress level in the DeCarlo Center with a 13-4 major decision at 197 pounds that gave the Blue Streaks a commanding 18-14 lead.
The issue was still in doubt entering the final match of the evening, but James Nemunaitis broke a six-match skid by pinning
Terence Haynes in 2:16.
John Carroll is now 10-5 overall and 3-2 in the OAC, while Baldwin-Wallace slips to 2-20 and 0-6 in league action.
125 - Elie Naoum (J) dec. Jeremy Dombrady, 7-0; 133 - Brian Bucher (B) dec. Greg Stolfer, 5-0; 141 - Eric Schubert (B) dec. Kevin Nycz, 11-6; 149 - Dan Mizener (J) tech. fall Tim Levitsky, 18-2; 157 - Mauricio Gonzalez (J) dec. Scott Haber, 6-1; 165 - Joe Incorvaia (B) maj. dec. Sean Gill, 11-1; 174 - Andrew Scavuzzo (B) maj. dec. Travis Hammer, 11-0; 184 - Ben Adams (J) dec. Korey Leonard, 9-4; 197 - Matt Harmon (J) maj. dec. Ryan Tudor, 13-4; 285 - Jim Nemunaitis (J) pinned Terence Haynes, 2:16