It was a familiar pattern this evening in Westerville, as John Carroll built a 20-point lead and then survived down the stretch to hold off Otterbein University, 24-21, on the Cardinals' senior night.

The Blue Streaks will finish the OAC season with a 5-2 record and finish in third place behind Mount Union and Baldwin Wallace.  The Blue Streaks were able to wrestle each opponent hard in the season, with their two losses being decided in the last couple of matches in their meets. 
 
They will finish the dual meet season with a team record of 12-4, those 12 wins being the highest number in head coach Mark Hawald's five-year tenure with the Blue Streaks.

John Carroll started off the night with a quick six points after Kyle Murray won by way of forfeit.  Then after a loss in 133, Jarrod Brezovec was able to pin his opponent in the second period, giving the Blue Streaks a 12-4 lead.

Patrick McGraw one upped his teammate Brezovec by winning his 149 pound match by way of fall in the first period.  Sammy Gross was able to keep the momentum going, winning his match in the only battle of nationally ranked wrestlers this evening by a score of 9-5, giving the Blue Streaks a 21-4 lead.

Luke Reicosky was able to secure the victory in the late stages in the 165 pound match.  In the third period Reicosky started on top and, instead of giving up an easy escape, he proceeded to throw this opponent on his back to get four momentous back points.  After another toss and some grappling, Reicosky stood as the victor with a 7-3 score, giving John Carroll a 24-4 lead.

The Blue Streaks then ventured into the strength of the Otterbein line-up, with four wrestlers in the upper weights with a combined record of 93-17

Despite losses at 174, 184, and 197, John Carroll still led by a score of 24-17, giving them the team victory.

They effectively eliminated the effects of the number one ranked and undefeated heavyweight in the nation in Drew Kasper.  Kasper would win his match, but Josh Stasek put up quite the fight, getting a reversal and a slew of escapes. The final would be 24-21 in favor of the Blue and Gold.

John Carroll will wrestle this Sunday at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center in the JCU open before sending 10 wrestlers off to Adrian, MI on the weekend of February 28th.