As six John Carroll seniors closed a chapter in their wrestling careers, the John Carroll wrestling program started a new one.

The Blue Streaks snapped a long losing skid against Mount Union with a 25-15 victory on senior night Tuesday in University Heights.

It was the first win for JCU over Mount Union since Feb. 12, 2008. First year head coach Mark Hawald defeated the Blue Streaks as UMU head coach four straight times from 2009-12.

JCU's head coach reflected on the direction of the team after the win. "We showed heart and we showed fight, and that's what John Carroll wrestling is all about," Hawald said.

Mount Union's Nick Mancini defeated John Carroll's Mitch Tikkanen by technical fall in the second period in the 125 pound match-up. Mancini earned the Purple Raiders a quick five points, but the lead would not last long.

Sal Corrao (133) came up with a big performance for the Blue Streaks and electrified the DeCarlo Center after pinning Alec Cotton in the first period. After a long three period battle, 141 pound John Connick fell 9-0 to nationally ranked UMU wrestler, Jeremy Border.

Dan Mirman remained undefeated this year against all Division III opponents with a 17-6 takedown of Seth McCurdy. After the win, the Blue Streaks took a 10-9 lead that they would not relinquish.

JCU's Blake Dixon (157) rallied the crowd, defeating Austin Rush 11-8. Dixon gave JCU a 13-9 advantage despite being down after the second period, 6-5.

Jordan Victor (165) gave JCU all the momentum it needed when he pinned UMU's Tony Rupert in the third period. This win put the Blue Streaks up 19-9 with four match-ups remaining.

After trailing 4-0 early, Thomas McNulty came out on top as he defeated Nick Miller in an 8-7 174-pound bout. In the 184 lb. face-off, Jimmy Suhayda dropped a close match, 2-1. Suhayda scored his one point for the Blue Streaks in the final seconds of the third period before losing on riding time.

Mount Union's Aaron Page (197) defeated JCU's Russ Porter 8-5 in a heated battle. To finish the night off and secure the victory for the Blue and Gold, Will Porter (285) took down and nearly pinned Mike Sinclair to earn six quick points. Those six points would prove to be enough to cap off the 25-15 victory.

"Coach gave us a pretty big pep talk which made us want to come out tonight and put some points on the board," said Mirman.

"This team is very tough and we are battling for a number one or two spot in the conference so I knew that a take down would seal the deal," said Dixon.

FINAL RESULTS
125    Nick Mancini (Mount Union) over Mitch Tikkanen (John Carroll) (T)
133    Sal Corrao (John Carroll) over Alec Cotton (Mount Union) (Fall)
141    Jeremy Border (Mount Union) over John Connick (John Carroll) (9-0)
149     Dan Mirman (John Carroll) over Seth McCurdy (Mount Union) (17-6)
157    Blake Dixon (John Carroll) over Austin Rush (Mount Union) (11-8)
165    Jordan Vector (John Carroll) over Tony Rupert (Mount Union) (Fall Period 3)
174    Thomas McNulty (John Carroll) over Nick Miller (Mount Union) (8-7)
184    Jimmy Suhayda (John Carroll) tied with Connor Rogers (Mount Union) (1-1)
197    Aaron Page (Mount Union) over Russ Porter (John Carroll) (8-5)
285    Will Porter (John Carroll) over Mike Sinclair (Mount Union) (9-3)