All along this season, John Carroll University wrestling head coach
“Ben has wrestled very well this season, and it certainly looks like he will have the opportunity to defend his title this season,” said Volkmann. “He's gone at a high level all year.”
Volkmann believes that he might also see two veterans finally break through to the national tournament with big days in New Concord.
“Dan [Mizener] was a heartbeat away last year at 149, and this year he's come back and won nearly 30 matches,” said Volkmann. “Elie [Naoum] went and won 23 matches this season. I'd say both of them are having their best seasons and are good bets to make some noise.”
Overall, Volkmann believes that his veteran squad is well-equipped to handle the pressures of the OAC Championships, thanks to their years of experience and desire to compete. It also helps to have everyone healthy. In fact, the very line-up he is sending to the mat Saturday has never been together for a single dual meet all season.
"We have taken some lumps in dual meets when we made decisions to hold out guys based on health concerns, but to have them healthy on February 21 was where we directed our focus," said Volkmann. " “They're ready to get in the spotlight and be successful,” said Volkmann. "We're up to two-a-days now, and they're sharpening themselves up to get that edge on the competition.”
A capsule look at the ten Blue Streaks representing John Carroll at the OAC Championships follows:
125 pounds – Elie Naoum – Senior
Senior
Elie Naoum (Solon, OH, Solon) is a three-time OAC placewinner, meaning he finished in the top three in the conference. In his final season, Naoum is looking to add that missing title of OAC champion.
Naoum has always wrestled well in OAC competition, going 3-1 in the conference this season to run his career OAC record to 16-6. That's not to say he hasn't wrestled well out of conference competition as he owns a 22-13 record overall, good for fourth most wins this season by a Blue Streak.
133 pounds – Adam Kriwinsky – Sophomore
Sophomore Adam Kriwinsky has been a much-welcomed addition to the John Carroll wrestling program such transferring in from American University (Washington, D.C.).
Kriwinsky contributed from day one, winning the Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week award in the very first week of the season. He has not slowed down since, amassing a 23-3 record – the third most wins on the team this season.
He has shown what he is capable of in past tournaments, such as the National Catholic Invitation where he finished third at 133 pounds. Kriwinsky was 4-1 during that tournament, winning his last four matches by a combined score of 42-10.
He enters the OAC tournament on a bit of a hot streak, winning ten of his last 11 matches.
141 pounds – Chris Romeo (Willoughby, OH, Lake Catholic)– Sophomore
After going 5-4 during his freshman season last year, Romeo has improved to the tune of 12-8 this season. Romeo did this while splitting time at 141 pounds with freshman Clarence Semple.
He's another Blue Streak who seems to be firing on all cylinders, winning nine of his last ten matches after starting the season at 1-4.
Mizener came up just short against Heidelberg's Zach Mizer last season in the final round of the OAC Championships. He admits to thinking about that match every day, having that loss serve as the driving force in his training to capture the OAC title.
His hard work looks to have paid off, as, with Mizer moving up to 157 pounds, Mizener appears to be the odds on favorite at 149 pounds.
Mizener is 30-7 on the season and the team-leader in wins, due in large part to winning 18 of his last 20 matches. Twice in the past, he has earned All-OAC honors but is in pursuit of his first OAC crown.
Schaffer is the Blue Streaks only freshman competing this weekend. The newcomer from Saint Peter Chanel High School, like most freshmen in any sport, has had a rollercoaster season. He lost his first three collegiate matches and lost his last five before the OAC Tournament, but sandwiched in-between the losing streaks was a 10-7 run.
165 – Devon Jurczak (Clinton Township, MI, Chippewa Valley) - Junior
Jurczak may have been 14-16 this season, but he was 3-2 in OAC matches this year. His season looks to be turning around as of late, as he has won five of his last eight matches.
Hammer finished his season with a win against Swick of Ohio Northern to cap an OAC record of 3-3. After starting 0-5, Hammer improved his record by finishing 9-14. This weekend he will be looking to build off the win in his final match of the season.
184 – Ben Adams (Livonia, MI, Winston Churchill) – Senior
As the defending OAC champion from a year ago, Adams looks to be a strong contender this weekend. Adams finished the season with a 24-3 record while being 5-1 in the OAC.
He won a title at the Purple Raider Open, and has top three four finishes at the RIT, Florida Citrus and Willson invitational.
Adams will look to continue his successful season this weekend with hopes of being a repeat champion in his weight class.
After sharing time in 285 and 197 weight class, Harmon has settled in as the Blue Streaks primary wrestler at 197 pounds. Harmon finished the season with a strong 13-5 overall record and an impressive 4-1 mark in the OAC.
Much of his strong record is due to Harmon finishing the season winning 11 of his last 13 matches. Harmon will enter this weekend with hopes of continuing his winning ways.
Lambert will look to improve on his season ending 12-5 overall record this weekend. With limited OAC action, Lambert finished with a 1-1 record.
Among his best showings of the year was an impressive second place finish at the RIT Invitational.
