Adams Wins Title To Lead Blue Streaks To Fourth Place Finish At Florida Citrus Open
David Malkus attempts to bring his opponent down to the mat during action at the 2009 Citrus Open
by Luke Whitworth
12/30/2009 5:03:59 PM
Senior Ben Adams led the Blue Streaks to a fourth place finish in the 2009 Citrus Open held Tuesday and Wednesday, December 29-30, at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Results
The Citrus Open, which used to consist of a one day individual tournament and second day of dual meets, underwent a change in format in 2009 to a two day open individual tournament.
Mount Union College won the team title with 169 points to top Rhode Island and Oneonta who tallied 149 and 122 respectively. The Blue Streaks took home the fourth place trophy in the 11-team field with a total of 103 points.
At the end of day one the Blue Streaks had five wrestlers win their quarterfinal bouts and heading to the semifinals at the start of day two. But at the end of the semifinals, it was only Adams left standing in the championship bracket at 184 pounds.
Adams won his semifinal bout in convincing fashion with a 16-0 technical fall victory over Ray Moore from Rhode Island. He also made his finals match look easy with an 8-4 decision over Josh Wake from Oneonta.
Other strong performances by the Blue Streaks were freshman David Malkus (141 pounds), sophomore Sean Gill (165 pounds), and senior Travis Hammer (174 pounds) who all finished fourth in their weight classes.
Freshman Connor Suba and junior Jim Nemunaitis were fifth place finishers at 149 and 197 pounds, respectively.