Senior nights do not always go according to plan in the sport of wrestling.

This one did.

Blue Streak seniors Douglas Hayes and Brian Steinmetz authored their own winning scripts as John Carroll defeated the Muskingum Fighting Muskies, 31-15, on Tuesday night. The triumphant outcome marks the first home and conference win for the Streaks on the season and the first JCU win at the DeCarlo Varsity center in almost one full calendar year.

Freshman Mike Buckiso got the action started with a well-fought 9-6 victory over Muskingum's Ahmad Taylor. The win improved the rookie's record on the season to 12-13.

The Blue Streaks moved out to a 9-0 lead with a forfeit victory by Phil Kail at 133, which improved the sophomore to 4-6 on the year.
After the forfeit, Hayes made sure he would not leave the floor for the last time without a victory at 141 pounds in hand. The senior put an early damper on Muskingum's hopes by pinning Ben Barnhart-Sullivan at 3:31, giving John Carroll a 15-0 advantage.

Hayes reflected on the win after the match.

“It's great to be able to put on a show,” Hayes said. “It's nice to enjoy this since it's my last time wrestling on this mat.”

Following another JCU forfeit win by jake Vincent at 157 that made the score 24-0. the Muskies struck back with consecutive wins. The first blow came with a pin by Skyler Caldwell at 165. Muskingum was then able to sneak out a close 4-2 win at 174, as Mitch King took down sophomore Danny McNamara with just seconds remaining in the third period.
The most entertaining match for Blue Streaks fans may have come at 184. Senior Brian Steinmetz stepped on the mat for his final match at home and battled to a 5-2 victory over Joe Dismuke. The score remained a 2-2 tie for the better part of the match, until Steinmetz scored a takedown with just over a minute remaining.

The match had special meaning for Steinmetz, who became the 25th wrestler in program history with 80 career victories.

“It feels good, but I have my eyes on some bigger goals before the season ends,” said a surprised Steinmetz. “That said, it's nice to hit a landmark like that.”

The tough loss ended Muskingum's chances of beating the Blue Streaks. Muskingum picked up six points with a forfeit win by veteran Luke Weber at 197, but that was followed by a dominating 12-0 win by JC sophomore Will Porter at 285.

Muskingum falls to 0-13 overall and 0-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. John Carroll improves to 4-6 overall and 1-3 in the OAC with the win.

John Carroll (JCU) 31 Muskingum (MUSK) 15
125 Michael Buckiso, JCU, dec. Ahmad Taylor, MUSK, 9-6 133 Phil Kail, JCU, forf. 141 Doug Hayes, JCU, pinned Ben Barnhart-Sullivan, MUSK, 3:31 149 Daniel Mirman, JCU, dec. Garland McCormick, MUSK, 10-4 157 Jake Vincent, JCU, forf. 165 Skylar Caldwell, MUSK, pinned John Connick, JCU, 2:40 174 Mitchell King, MUSK, dec. Danny McNamara, JCU, 4-2 184 Bryan Steinmetz, JCU, dec. Joe Dismuke, MUSK, 5-2 197 Lucas Weber, MUSK, forf. 285 Will Porter, JCU, maj. dec. Bass Conway, MUSK, 12-0