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Perelka on the podium

Perelka Earns Runner-Up and Reicosky Snags 7th at NCAA Championships

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID
Perelka and Reicosky both earned spots on the podium for JCU.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- For John Carroll Wrestling, this weekend turned a lot of heads, both inside and out of the program.

After missing out on the last two NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships, the Blue Streaks found major success in the tournament's 2022 return. 

Andrew Perelka claimed the second-place trophy at 133 pounds, JCU's first NCAA runner-up since 2005, and Luke Reicosky finished in seventh place at 157. As a team, the Blue Streaks finished in 16th place, the program's best finish since 2004 (12th). It's also JCU's first top-20 finish since 2005 (18th). 

Perelka fought with his whole spirit to bring home JCU Wrestling's first individual championship trophy since 1999. But his effort to make history for the Blue Streaks came up short by two points, as Perelka lost a 6-4 decision in the 133 pound championship on Saturday evening.

With the defeat, Perelka stood second on the podium for the tournament, still an exceptional feat. Luke Reicosky also earned his day on the podium with a seventh-place finish at 157 pounds on Saturday.

Perelka matched up with Robbie Precin of North Central College in the championship after a wild semifinal earlier on Saturday vs. Dalton Rohrbaugh of York College (PA). Perelka burst out for an 8-2 advantage after one period before Rohrbaugh came roaring back to within a couple, 11-9, after two. But Perelka finished things out with two escapes, a takedown, and a nearfall for a crazy 17-11 decision victory to punch his ticket to the title bout.

In the championship match, Precin struck first with a takedown at the 57-second mark. Perelka escaped, but then the NCC grappler got a key takedown with 4 seconds left in the period, adding 31 seconds of riding time in the process. 

Precin recorded a reversal early in the second period to increase Perelka's burden. The JCU veteran escaped quickly, but faced a steep uphill battle, trailing 6-2 after two periods. 

Perelka penciled in an escape early on in the third, but struggled to fire a shot in on Precin, who thwarted every effort. Perelka made a desperation move in the final 10 seconds, which led to a stalling call on Perecin. With 3 seconds left and trailing 6-4, Perelka lunged at Perecin hoping for a miracle, but it was not to be. 

With the defeat, Perelka completes the season with a 31-5 record. The Brecksville native becomes JCU's first runner-up since Ryan Summers (2005). Summers is in the JCU Hall of Fame, and you may see Perelka in one day, too, as his career has been incredible. This weekend certainly proves Perelka's legacy.

"This should have been his third shot at a championship, but it was his first because of the pandemic," said Head Coach Mark Hawald. "The pandemic started for us in 2020 right before the national championships, and then we lost the tournament in 2021. Andrew's legacy is that he wrestled his heart out nonetheless. If this is it for him, we'll always remember him as the guy who reignited our program as we rebuilt after COVID. If he comes back next year, we'll get right back to it and chase the national title." 

After last night's thrilling action, Reicosky didn't lack a flair for the dramatic today, either. His day started with defeat, as Ryan Luth (Washington & Lee University) handed him an 11-7 defeat, sending him to the seventh-place match.

There, Reicosky ran into a familiar foe: Darian Estevez of the University Of Chicago.

The two butted heads three times previously this season, and all required overtime after 1-1 ties in regulation. In the first regular-season bout, Reicosky captured an overtime win. In the regular-season rematch, Estevez got the win. And then on Friday, Estevez sent Reicosky to the consolations with a 3-1 sudden victory triumph. 

The fourth match belonged to Reicosky.

The JCU vet battled to a 1-1 tie with Estevez, as the Maroon wrestler scored an escape point early in the second and the Blue Streak grappler returned the favor early in the third. So, the match would require extra time. At the 47 second mark, Reicosky got his revenge and the seventh-place trophy, tallying a takedown for the victory.

"It's so huge for Luke," said Hawald. "We would have loved a higher finish, but this is very fulfilling. That seventh-place win was super exciting because of beating the guy who knocked him out of contention for a national championship. Not many get to finish with a win. If Luke returns, there will be a lot of excitement. If not, I'll remember him as a key part of the process of resparking our program, and letting people know that you can come to John Carroll and be an All-American."

Perelka and Reicosky's podium stands mark the first time since 2004 that the Blue Streaks have earned two All-American trophies. After missing out on the 2020 and 2021 National Championships, today certainly feels sweet for John Carroll Wrestling.

"For our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, this was their first time seeing a national championship. This year was so critical to have success," Hawald said. "I hope that this success sparks us, and we chase tournament trophies. After such a successful weekend like this, you can see how close John Carroll is to being a national power."
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