As calculated risks go, the ones made by Mark Hawald paid off tonight for the John Carroll wrestling team.

Rather than force the issue with some ailing starters, Hawald elected to take forfeits and count on his healthy wrestlers to carry the burden in a conference dual meet at Muskingum Tuesday night. Despite staking the Muskies to an 18-0 lead after three matches, the Blue Streaks prevailed by a 34-21 score to even their record at 5-5 and improve their league mark to 3-1.

John Carroll forfeited matches at 125, 133 and 141 pounds, while Muskingum returned the favor at 149. This meant the first match actually wrestled was at 157 pounds, where JCU sophomore Blake Dixon improved to 4-0 in league matches with a first period pin.

Muskingum picked up a decision at 165 to boost its lead to 21-12, but that would be the last points scored by the home team.

Another forfeit by Muskingum awaited at 174, which put the balance of the match on the shoulders of freshman Jimmy Suhayda. The rookie came through in a big way, pinning Caleb Cox in the second period of his 184-pound bout to give John Carroll its first lead of the night at 24-21.

Russ Porter accepted a forfeit at 197 to give JCU an insurmountable lead, and Will Porter polished off the victory with a major decision at 285.

John Carroll, ranked #25 in the latest MyHOUSE/d3wrestle.com poll, has now won four of its last five dual meets (including three ina  row) to reach .500 on the season.

John Carroll 34, Muskingum 21
125: Jordan Burkholder (MU) win by forfeit
133: Toby Warrington (MU) win by forfeit
141: Jonathan Raugh (MU) win by forfeit
149: Phil Kail (JC) win by forfeit
157: Blake Dixon (JC) win by fall Jonathan Muntz (MU) 1:45
165: Tanner Walker (MU) won by decision Jordan Victor (JC) 4-2
174: Thomas McNulty (JC) win by forfeit
184: Jimmy Suhayda (JC) win by fall Caleb Cox (MU) 4:03
197: Russ Porter (JC) win by forfeit
285: Will Porter (JC) win by major decision Antonio Zapata (MU) 10-2