The term "up tempo" seems more applicable to a sport like basketball, but "up tempo" proved it had a place in wrestling as well Tuesday night.

Armed with an aggressive mindset from the start, JCU won six of the seven bouts contested and picked up two additional wins via forfeit to pull away from host Case Western Reserve University, 40-12, at Vosburgh Gymnasium.

"I thought it was important that we opened up Saturday," said head coach Kerry Volkmann. "No matter what, you are always a little bit rusty that first time out. You are down to your weight for the first time, you just have to get that feel for competition again. We were a much sharper group tonight."

JCU gave up points at 125 through a forfeit, but gained them right back when Sal Corrao recorded a first period pin at 133 pounds.

Case again pulled ahead by six when freshman Aaran Gessic pulled off a first period pin of his own to give the host squad a 12-6 lead.

It would be the Spartans final point haul of the evening.

"Our tempo was much better today," said Volkmann. "We really came out looking to score and stay on the offensive."

Dan Mirman produced a major decision victory at 149, after which Thomas McNulty improved to 5-0 with a forfeit win at 157. Ternet Gott then supplied a second period technical fall at 165 to balloon the JCU lead to 21-12.

Two new faces to the line-up came through as well. Tyler Hardtke used five takedowns to win his 174-pound bout by a 10-8 decision, after which Steven Schmitz rallied to take the lead in the second period at 184 pounds before his opponent had to retire due to injury.

"Tyler is still knocking off some rust off after sitting behind some very talented guys at Notre Dame College that last year or so, but he showed us the potential he has regardless," said Volkmann. "And Steven Schmitz, it is like night and day. The adjustment to college, both on the mat and off, can take more time for some guys, and he struggled with that last year. But he has come back in a much better frame of mind. He's a resident hall assistant now, and he has had some great family support. I am excited for what these kids can bring to the program."

Todd Gaydosh closed out the contested bouts with a major decision victory at 197. Kyle Kratman accepted a forfeit at 285 to complete the meet.

JCU finished the night with a pin, a technical fall and two majors in improving to 4-1 on the season. Case suffered its first loss of 2014-15 in falling to 4-1.

The Blue Streaks will compete in the Trine Open this weekend in Angola, Indiana.

John Carroll 40, Case Western Reserve 12
125 - Nate Lee (CWRU) by Forf;  133 - Sal Corrao (JCU) over Travis Alexander (CWRU) Fall 2:08;  141 - Aaran Gessic (CWRU) over John Connick (JCU) Fall 2:20;  149 - Dan Mirman (JCU) over Connor Gordon (CWRU) MD 14-6;  157 - Tom McNulty (JCU) by Forf;  165 - Terner Gott (JCU) over Nick Tommas (CWRU) TF 22-4 4:00;  174 - Tyler Hardtke (JCU) over Nick Lees (CWRU) Dec 10-8;  184 - Steven Schmitz (JCU) over David Brunk (CWRU) Inj. 4:07;  197 - Todd Gaydosh (JCU) over Cito Balsells (CWRU) MD 13-2;  285 - Kyle Kratman (JCU) by Forf