John Carroll ended its Florida trip on a high note by defeating Keiser University, 39-6, in Key West this afternoon.
The victory is the ninth dual meet win of the season, matching last year's win total when JCU posted a 9-3 record.
After finishing fourth out of 14 teams at the Citrus Invitational, the Blue Streaks had a few days off to enjoy the warm Florida weather before returning to competition against Keiser, a first-year NAIA program coached by Blue Streak legend Joe Bertolone.
John Carroll started off in control against Keiser after both
Kyle Murray and Max Turner won their matches with forfeits.
After a loss in the 141 pound bout,
Jarrod Brezovec pinned his opponent in the first period to make the score 18-6 in favor of the Blue Streaks. After that, freshman
Patrick McGraw continued his amazing season, defeating his opponent by way of a major decision.
A trio of Blue Streaks stepped up and won their matches as Andrew Benos,
Stefan Farian, and
Aidan Whitis were all able to continue the win streak for John Carroll. After their three matches were done, the Blue Streaks had built the lead to an insurmountable 33-6.
After losing the 197 pound matchup,
Christian Hipsher was able to get the 6-3 victory in the heavyweight bout against Charles Alexander to make the final score 36-9.
John Carroll, now 9-2 on the year, will return home in the DeCarlo Varsity Center at 7 p.m. on January 21st against the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets. This will be an important match for the Blue Streaks as the Yellow Jackets were one of two Division III teams to beat the Blue Streaks last year.
John Carroll 39, Keiser 6
125:
Kyle Murray (JCU) won by forfeit; 133: Max Turner (JCU) won by forfeit; 141: Zachary Fix (Kei) won by fall over Dominic Devine, 2:20; 149:
Jarrod Brezovec (JCU) won by fall over Steven (Jake) Burress, 1:09; 157:
Patrick McGraw (JCU)won by major decision over George Zertopoulis, 18-6; 165: Andrew Benos (JCU) won by technical fall over Fidel Diaz, TF 19-3, 3:18; 174:
Stefan Farian (JCU) won by decision over Wyatt Forsberg, 5-2; 184:
Aidan Whitis (JCU) won by decision over Jessiah Garcia-Contreras, 12-7; 197: Caio DeAlmeida (Kei) won by decision over Thomas Blackwel, 11-6; 285:
Christian Hipsher (JCU) won by decision over Charles Alexander, 6-3
