7 Placewinners Ensure 2nd Place at Wheaton Invite for JCU Wrestling

1/29/2022 8:09:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Kyle Murray is in the midst of a breakout year at 125.

WHEATON, Ill. -- Every year, the Pete Willson Invitational offers top competition and a barometer as the NCAA Championships approach.

Based on the results of the 80th annual tournament at Wheaton College, John Carroll Wrestling is in very solid shape.

The Blue Streaks finished in second place this weekend as a team with 100 points. Individually, the Blue Streaks notched seven placewinners. Overall, it's one of the best team finishes at the prestigious tournament in recent memory.

Kyle Murray's continued emergence at 125 pounds served as one of the highlights. After waiting his turn for a few years, he's the man now at 125, and he's making the most of his shot. Murray opened with a 15-0 tech fall, continued it with an 8-1 decision, and roared into the semifinals with a 6-5 decision win over Tommy Russell, No. 14 in the NWCA's newest rankings. Murray lost in the semifinals, but finished fifth overall.

Andrew Perelka did well at 133, finishing third. The Brecksville native kicked things off with a 3-1 decision and a 13-5 major decision before losing a tough 6-5 decision in the quarterfinals. Perelka battled back in style, though, with a hugely impressive pin over Matt Berlin of UW-Stevens Point, ranked No. 2 by the NWCA. Perelka then won a 4-1 decision to snatch third place.

Jarrod Brezovec placed fourth for JCU at 141. The veteran secured a pair of decisions, 6-1 and 6-0, to begin his journey. He moved onto the semifinals with a dramatic 7-6 conquest in sudden victory. But Jordin James of Mount Union, ranked No. 2 by the NWCA, bested Brezovec in the semifinals. The Aurora native tallied a late pin in the consolation semifinals, but lost an 8-4 bout, dropping to fourth.

Luke Reicosky carded seventh at 157 for the Blue and Gold. The junior fired off 17-1 and 11-3 wins to start before experiencing a tough defeat in the quarterfinals. Reicosky lost a 3-1 sudden victory match, pushing him into the consolations. Later in the seventh-place match, Reicosky took care of business with a pin at 2:58.

Patrick McGraw lived up to his new No. 13 NWCA ranking with a fifth-place finish. The Chardon native sailed through his first two matches before losing in the quarterfinals. McGraw won 5-2 and 6-4 decisions to get to the consolation semis. He lost that match, but did rebound with a 6-4 victory in the fifth-place bout.

Daniel Devera continued his outstanding year at 174 by taking sixth. The Parma native pulled two tech falls out to start and moved along to the semifinals with a 3-2 decision. Unfortunately, an injury in the semis forced him to settle for sixth.

Jesse Kanatzar enjoyed a nice weekend at 197, earning sixth. The Tallmadge native bounced into the quarterfinals with a 14-6 major decision and a 3-2 decision. A 10-5 defeat slotted him into the consis, where he worked into a placewinner match with a 3-2 decision. Unfortunately, he confronted a tough foe in fifth-place match and suffered an 11-1 loss. Still, sixth is very good for a freshman at this tourney.

John Carroll will now get ready for Mount Union, as the Blue Streaks head to Alliance on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

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