Men's Wrestling Upended by Polar Bears in OAC Opener

11/11/2023 8:29:00 PM | By: JCUSID

Daniel Devera got a win today for the Blue & Gold.

ADA, Ohio – Close losses harmed John Carroll Wrestling in an important early-season Ohio Athletic Conference bout.

John Carroll's first dual of the season did not allow for an easy ramp-up, as the Blue Streaks headed to face the Polar Bears, picked to finish second in the conference.

Ohio Northern proved its mettle as one of the top teams in the league, with a 24-15 victory over John Carroll.

Following a forfeit at 125, the Blue Streaks dropped into a steep 15-0 hole with a 9-3 defeat at 133 and a loss via fall at 141. Kale Buckiso got John Carroll on the board critically at 149, with an 11-2 major decision. Patrick McGraw righted the ship with a 17-2 tech fall win at 157.

The back-to-back wins narrowed the gap to 15-9 for John Carroll, certainly within striking distance.

But a trio of close losses shot down the Blue Streaks' comeback hopes. The first occurred at 165, as Adam Salek was edged by ONU, 9-6. Daniel Devera did keep hope alive at 174, with a 15-8 decision. But then consecutive decision losses of 3-0 and 9-6 at 185 and 197 pounds eliminated the Blue Streaks.

Thomas Lunt did provide a nice bright spot to end the day, however. The East Haddam, CT native enters his first season as the man at 285 pounds, and he didn't disappoint today. The sophomore fought hard for a victory by the slimmest of margins, a 3-2 decision victory.

Following today's defeat, the Blue Streaks will turn around and compete tomorrow. John Carroll will compete at the Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open at Case Western Reserve starting at 10 am.

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