Wrestling Opens Campaign at Clarion Open

11/6/2023 12:05:00 PM | By: JCUSID

The Blue Streaks got a handful of wins against top-notch competition.

CLARION, Penn. – John Carroll Wrestling faced a strong challenge to open the season at the Clarion Open on Sunday.

Hosted by Clarion University in Pennsylvania, the event featured many of the top wrestlers from across the country.

As Head Coach Mark Hawald noted, "I scheduled the challenge on the front end, and knew we'd have our hands full with several Big 10 teams in attendance."

The Blue Streaks did indeed have their hands full, but the experience provided a chance for the team to test its skills against the best. Iron sharpens iron, afterall.

Perhaps the man with the best showing was the team's fifth-year star, Patrick McGraw. The 157 pounder opened with an 11-3 major decision to Clarion's Lavinsky Collins. McGraw bounced back with a 15-0 tech fall in 3:25 over Hunter Jones of Gardner-Webb. The Chardon native then notched a 19-3 tech fall in 6:52 over Buzzy Bomberger. But McGraw advanced no further, losing in the next round by a 6-0 decision to Columbia's Tyler Barrett. Gabe Galioto also wrestled at 157, winning one match.

Jesse Kanatzar repped JCU at 184 pounds, opening things up with a 12-2 major decision win over Seth Ross of Clarion. Unfortunately, he'd lose the next two matches to fall out of the bracket.

Also grabbing a win was Kyle Bizjak. The Aurora native managed a victory over Cael Andrews of Kent State before dropping to Pitt's Tyler Badgett.

The Blue Streaks open conference wrestling in earnest on November 11, heading to Ada to face off with the Polar Bears.

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories

Sponsors