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Men's Wrestling Team Photo 2026-27
Cory Lizalde

Winter Preview: Men's Wrestling Primed for Exciting Season with Plenty of Potential

| By: JCUSID

The Blue Streaks have an eye on developing talent for the postseason

A new season full of exciting potential is on the horizon for JCU Men's Wrestling.

Two familiar faces have joined the coaching staff. Vittorio Santillo '21 takes on the role of Associate Head Coach and Ty Daugherty '26, an NCAA Championships qualifier, steps into an assistant coach position. Their combined knowledge could give the Blue Streaks a major boost in the coming season. 

"Our men's team has a lot of potential and reason for excitement this season," said Head Coach Mark Hawald '05. "A number of upperclassmen are looking to break into the lineup and we have some veterans ready to lead. I'm also looking forward to seeing some of our freshmen compete immediately."

Brett Stanley and Kyle Bizjak are returning after being honored as NWCA Scholar All-Americans. Stanley, returning at 125, has started for the past two years and placed in regionals twice. 

Bizjak enters his senior year with the Blue Streaks.  The three-year starter and three-time regional placer was fourth last season at regionals, one win shy of qualifying for the NCAA Championships.  Bizjak will be moving up to 157 this season.

Last season's rookies had a strong start to their collegiate careers, led by Sophomores Adom Sharpley, Will Allen, and Christian Friel who all competed in the Regional Tournament.  

Sharpley returns at 141. The Solon High School graduate placed fourth at regionals last season, one win from qualifying. 

Allen moved between 141 and 149 last season before competing at the regional tournament at 157. The Pennsylvania native will compete at 149 this season.

Friel started last season at 157 before competing at regionals at 165. This season, he will compete at 174.

Potential weight changes are a chance for opportunity.  "We have some wrestlers bulking up and others dropping to a more natural weight class," says Hawald.

After wrestling 197 last season, senior Bear Horgan will be returning to the 184 weight class. The Surprise, Arizona native placed fourth at regionals his freshman year at this weight and is seeking to finish his career strong. Horgan has shown he can compete at a high level throughout his career and is looking to put it all together to make a national run this year. 

Junior Jacob Holtz will be dropping to 197 after spending his first two seasons at 285.

With the graduation of NCAA Qualifier Thomas Lunt, the 285-pound weight class is wide open. Four wrestlers are vying for the starting position, first-years Shepard Charlton and Cole Ditzig and sophomores Dawson Brown and Juuso Young. Each has a chance for the spot as they aim to fill some big shoes. 

The season officially begins with Senior Day, Alumni Day, and Youth Day on Tuesday, November 3. The Blue Streaks will welcome Heidelberg for a season-opening dual.

The Blue Streaks will host the JCU Duals on Sunday, November 22, a tri-meet with Baldwin Wallace and RIT on February 12, and then the JCU Open on February 13. 

"We love to compete, and we'll embrace every opportunity to test ourselves throughout the season," said Hawald. "But everything we do is building toward March. Our sights are set on the NCAA Regional and National Championships, and we'll approach every practice, every match, and every day with the expectation of earning our place on the national stage in Wisconsin."
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