Wrestling Builds Insurmountable Early Lead in First OAC Home Dual Since January 2020

11/16/2021 10:45:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Luke Reicosky delivered the win of the night over the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the country at 157.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- For the first time in 665 days, John Carroll University Wrestling hosted a dual meet on Tuesday.

The Blue Streaks didn't disappoint.

Mark Hawald's Blue Streaks rolled to a 34-9 conquest over Otterbein University in the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center on Tuesday in front of a great home crowd.

John Carroll fired out to a hot start and never looked back. The Blue Streaks won the first seven matches, including a dramatic Luke Reicosky victory, before dropping a pair of matches, and ending on a positive note with a Connor Bizjak victory.

Eddie Wallace opened the night with a win at 125. The freshman tallied his first collegiate victory and did it in style, with a wily first-period pin to do the trick at 2:56. Andrew Perelka followed with another pin win, making quick work of his opponent at 133 in the opening period at 2:52. Tonight marked Perelka's 22nd birthday, so it was a fitting celebration.

Jarrod Brezovec dominated at 141. The fifth year senior never looked in doubt, as he compiled points fast and furious. The Aurora native secured a tech fall win, 16-0, late in the second period right at the buzzer at 5:00.

The 149 lb match was the first to take the full time. Kale Buckiso battled with Nathan Leko for all three periods, taking care of business in the third. The Jefferson Hills, PA native finished things off with a 10-5 decision.

The match of the night occurred at 157. Luke Reicosky entered the year ranked No. 4 nationally at 165 pounds, while Ryan Whitten claimed the No. 4 preseason ranking in the country at 157 pounds. Wrestling down, Reicosky looked hungry, particularly late. The two grapplers dueled to a stalemate early, exchanging escapes, with Reicosky's escape happening just two seconds into the third. In the final period, Reicosky showed off his skills with a veteran move that led to a takedown. The veteran finalized a 3-2 victory to the roar of the crowd, in what secured the momentum for the Blue Streaks, pushing the lead to 23-0.

Patrick McGraw took full advantage of the momentum in JCU's favor at 165. The Saint Ignatius grad allowed only escape points in a smart battle, ending with an 11-5 win for JCU. Daniel Devera also looked very good at 174, as he dominated his opponent. The freshman walked away with a win via tech fall, 17-2, at 5:34.

While it was too late for a comeback win, Otterbein did make noise in the upperweights. Joey Bradberry eked out a win over Brody Arrundale in a fierce battle. Arrundale looked to comeback late, but dropped an 8-4 decision at 184. Jesse Kanatzar suffered a loss at 197, as well, losing via pin at 4:25.

But Connor Bizjak sent the JCU faithful home happy with a final win. The senior entered at about a 40-pound disadvantage to Otterbein's Billy Reed-Bodey. Bizjak allowed some early points, but used his agility to his advantage in the third period. The Aurora alum was trailing 5-4 with just a minute to go, Bizjak earned a reversal. His move turned the mood of the match, as he held out on top and nearly earned a pin. He tallied a 4-point near fall at the end of regulation, upping his margin of victory to 10-5 via decision.

"As soon as I hooked the ankle and I got him to shift, I knew I had at least a reversal, and I knew I had to keep him down and hopefully turn him," said Bizjak. "I'm not great at keeping big guys like that down, it's tough to move them. So, the best thing is to threaten them with a hold and come across, stay there, and bounce back and forth to see where he goes."

Bizjak is one of many Blue Streaks who took advantage of the pandemic to lift weights and improve during the pandemic, which is setting him up for success.

"I didn't get the chance to wrestle last year, as because of COVID, I moved back home. So it is nice to wrestle," Bizjak said. "There is still plenty to do. I learned a couple things about moving these big guys tonight. Some of the things I was used to doing at lower weights aren't there. Moving big guys is different than moving anyone else. I just need to figure out how to move my feet and move guys at the same time."

The Blue Streaks will return to action on Sunday, as they'll host the JCU Duals. The first match will be at 11 am, as JCU will battle Mount St. Joseph. In round two, John Carroll will take on Lake Erie, and then in round three, the Blue Streaks will face off with Lourdes.

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