2024-25 Men’s Wrestling Season Preview: Young Blood, Old Wisdom

10/31/2024 1:50:00 PM | By: Liam Dodge, Staff Writer

John Carroll has lots of young blood looking to make an impact this season.

The end of a career from a future hall of famer would result in a discouraging beginning to a season for most teams. However, this young John Carroll Men's Wrestling team's work ethic has impressed Head Coach Mark Hawald throughout their preseason practices.

"I am so impressed with everything they do that I have to nitpick in order to find areas where we need improvement," said Hawald.

Last year, the Blue Streaks struggled to find their footing, finishing the season with a dual meet record of 5-4, and an Ohio Athletic Conference record of 3-4. JCU qualified a pair of wrestlers for the NCAA Championships, but did not place either.

Another issue was with depth. Veteran departures such as Patrick McGraw '24 will be very difficult to replace. McGraw was incredible, to say the least, breaking the career wins record for John Carroll wrestlers, and being named to the All-OAC, Academic All-OAC, NWCA Academic All-American, CSC All-District At-Large, and CSC Academic All-American teams. He was also named an inaugural recipient of the Blue Streak Scholar Award.

Yes, losing McGraw is very painful to this team, but that isn't to say they lost all their stars.

Jesse Kanatzar is a senior and will be the main man at 197 pounds. Last season, he earned All-OAC Second Team honors, finishing 27-13. The Tallmadge native has been highlighted as a leader of this team, exemplifying what it means to be a Blue Streak each and every day while dedicating himself to becoming a National Champion. The vocal leader of the group, he has the most experience on this team, and is not afraid to express himself on and off the mat.

Aiden Ashburn is a junior and is weighing in at 174. Last season, he finished 22-17 and went on to win the 174 lb. bracket at the NCAA Central Regional Championships. Definitely the quieter leader, he leads with his work ethic and intensity, showing the younger athletes how JCU wrestlers should act. Despite being a man of very few words, his actions are loud, and he is one of the hardest workers in the program.

Along with them, guys that will make a big impact this year are sophomore Bear Horgan (184), who placed fourth at NCAA Regionals and was one win short of qualifying for NCAA Championships and sophomore Kyle Bizjak (149), who also placed at NCAA Regionals.

Other starters included junior Ty Daugherty (133), senior Daniel Devera (174), and junior Thomas Lunt (285).

Hawald also believes they have fixed much of the depth problems with this incoming class, stating, "every one of [the first year's] impresses me daily with the attitude and intensity they bring with them." This group of first year athletes is one of the largest over the past couple of years, and will hopefully be a group that makes a difference for this program for a long time.

The John Carroll Men's Wrestling season is set to begin Friday, November 1 with their opening night against Albion College. It will be the first time the men's and women's teams will compete together in the same event at home.

This will also be the last chance for this program to win the OAC, as they take on teams at home like Ohio Northern University (December 3). Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace, and Muskingham at the OAC Quad Meet (January 18), and Wilmington (February 4).

And as always, mark in your calendars NCAA Central Regional Championships on February 28-March 1 (location TBA), and the NCAA Division III Championships on March 14-15 in Providence, RI.

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