An early rout and late push proved to not be enough for a mid-week, conference road trip.
 
The John Carroll University wrestling team fell in their second conference dual of the season on Tuesday evening, as the No. 20 Ohio Northern Polar Bears (9-2, 2-0 OAC) beat the visiting Blue Streaks (4-4, 0-2 OAC), 22-12.
 
This is JCU's second dual in five nights, both were in conference and against nationally-ranked opponents.
 
JCU fell in the night's opening match at 125 pounds, when freshman Dom Devine took an 11-4 decision loss to Seth Transue.
 
Sophomore Mitch Tikkanen was the first Blue Streak to strike gold, as he earned a 3-2 decision with riding time against Brad Taton of ONU at the 133-pound division.
 
Senior Sal Corrao followed that match by topping Aidan Pieroban of ONU, 10-4, at 141 pounds to earn a decision win and extend JCU's team lead (6-3). With the win, Corrao is now currently riding a five-match win streak.
 
Sophomore Jarrad Lasko continued his winning ways at 149 pounds, as he beat ONU's junior Evan Morgan 3-1 to put JCU ahead 9-3 off of three straight team decision victories.
 
The burst of momentum would feel a delay, as Danny Novak fell at 157 pounds to Gavin Nelson of ONU, 9-5.
 
The 165-pound division also played into the Polar Bears' favor as junior Blake Dixon was topped by Seth Meyer, 6-0, to bring the evening's current score to 9-9.
 
Ohio Northern then broke the evening's tie by earning a major decision victory at 174 pounds. ONU's Kyler Deeter kept the Polar Bear rout going by beating JCU's Jimmy Suhayda, 12-3.
 
At 184 pounds, Kevin Khoma fell to ONU's Alex Biar, 9-5, to give the Polar Bears five straight wins on the evening. Bair came into the evening leading ONU in wins on the season.
 
The tide turned in the 197-pound match, as sophomore Mason Litz earned a 3-2 decision over Austin Windle of Ohio Northern.
 
The final match of the evening proved to be the finisher for the Polar Bears, as ONU's Nathan Barcaskey pinned Russ Porter to give Ohio Northern a 20-12 mark over JCU.
 
The Blue Streaks will be back in action this Saturday as they will compete in the Si Ostrich Tri Meet, held at Case Western Reserve University. Wrestling set to begin at 12:00 p.m.
 
Complete Results
125: Seth Transue (ON) def. Dom Devine (JC) by dec., 11-4
133: Mitch Tikkanen (JC) def. Brad Taton (ON) by dec., 3-2
141: Sal Corrao (JC) def. Aidan Pierobon (ON), by dec. 10-4
149: Jarrad Lasko (JC) def. Evan Morgan (ON) by dec., 3-1
157: Gavin Nelson (ON) def. Danny Novak (JC) by dec., 9-5
165: Seth Meyer (ON) def. Blake Dixon (JC) by dec., 6-0
174: Kyler Deeter (ON) def. Jimmy Suhayda (JC) by maj. dec., 12-3
184: Alex Bair (ON) def. Kevin Khoma (JC) by dec., 9-5
197: Mason Litz (JC) def. Austin Windle (ON) by dec., 3-2
285: Nathan Barcaskey (ON) def. Russ Porter (JC) by fall, 2:32