Wrestling Sends Three To National Meet and Finishes Fourth At NCAA Regionals

2/26/2023 8:14:00 PM | By: Eli Davenport, Staff Writer

Andrew Perelka became JCU's all-time winningest wrestler on a medical forfeit in the 133 pound championship match to take first place.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — JCU picked up a fourth place finish, with three JCU wrestlers securing their spots for nationals at the Division III Central Region Tournament.

John Carroll picked up 130.5 points in the fourth place showing. They were beaten by Wabash College (143.5), Ohio Northern University (153), and Baldwin Wallace University (175.5).

The Blue Streaks had a notable performance, with nine of the ten wrestlers on the starting lineup placing within the top eight of their respective brackets. Andrew Perelka (133 pounds) and Patrick McGraw (157 lbs.) won their respective brackets, and Luke Reicosky (165 lbs.) placed third, earning their spots at nationals.

Fourth-place finishes were achieved by Kale Buckiso (149 lbs.) and Jesse Kanatzar (197 lbs.). Fifth place was won by Stefan Farian (184 lbs.), Sixth place by Thomas Blackwell (285 lbs.), and 7th place was won by both Eddie Wallace (125 lbs.) and Caiden Rodgers (174 lbs.)

Perelka also earned another milestone today, earning his 123rd victory in the finals, making him the record holder for the most career wins at JCU. Before this the record was tied between Joe Schmidt and current Blue Streak head coach Mark Hawald.

"We're going to go back and train for the next two weeks and get these three guys as high on the podium as they can," Hawald said after the meet.

Perelka, McGraw, and Reicosky will each compete in the Division III National Championships, which will take place Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, in Roanoke, Virginia.

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