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Aiden Ashburn at JCU Open
Jose Figueroa

Ashburn & Gallo Stand as Conquering Heroes at JCU Open for Men's Wrestling

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID
Aiden Ashburn

The Blue Streaks' upperweights shined on Saturday in the AWE

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – For a second straight day, John Carroll Men's Wrestling hosted action in University Heights, and for the second consecutive day, enjoyed plentiful success.

This time, the Blue Streaks welcomed fans and opposing teams to the beautiful new Athletic, Wellness & Event Center for the 2026 JCU Open, the first in the AWE.

The Blue Streaks tallied a total of six placers, including champions Frank Gallo (197) and Aiden Ashburn (174). Juuso Young (197) tabbed fourth, Chase Morgan (141) slotted in fifth, while Wills Bronson (184) and Jacob Holtz (285) both snagged sixth. 

Final Brackets

Aiden Ashburn headlines the conquests for John Carroll. The team's typical starter at 174 entered the JCU Open with something to prove, coming off a pair of razor-thin losses on Friday evening, including one in sudden victory. 

Ashburn looked to get his mojo back, ironically in his first match in sudden victory in his 174 Blue bracket. The Westlake native dipped and dodged to a 1-1 score at the end of regulation in his first round match. But he came out aggressive in the extra time for a winning takedown. His quarterfinal match was less eventful with a 9-2 decision. Ashburn roared into the finals with a 7-2 decision. The senior showed decisiveness in a 4-0 victory in the final for his conquest. 

Frank Gallo stands as a feel-good story for the Blue Streaks, the traditional JCU Open story of a man who doesn't typically start getting his triumphs in front of adoring fans. The Brecksville native won the 197 Blue bracket in a strong showing. 

Perhaps the best part of his showing was just how dominant the sophomore looked. Gallo fired up a 15-0 tech fall in the opener. From there, it was only pins. A fall in 2:15 in the quarterfinal set up a lengthier semifinal, which Gallo came out triumphant in a pin at 5:36. Gallo completed his fantastic day with a first-period pin in 2:09. 

Juuso Young has enjoyed some action this year, and got the chance to shine at 197 Blue. The first year grappler looked to be on a collision course with Gallo. Young notched a 13-6 decision to start and then eked out a 4-3 decision. Young then lost via a first-period pin in the semifinal and forfeited his final match for fourth. 

Chase Morgan has not seen as much action this season, but the Westlake native looked like a pro for much of Saturday. His 141 Blue bracket started off well for him, as Morgan notched a first-period pin. In the quarterfinal, Morgan won again by pin, this time in the second. The top seed handed him a defeat in the semifinal, sending him to the fifth-place match, where he accepted a win. 

Wills Bronson has been JCU's usual man at 184, but the veteran got some extra work in the 184 Blue bracket. The star started strong with a 4-0 decision and then a first-period pin. But a loss in the semifinal dropped him to the consolations, and Bronson forfeited his next two matches for sixth. 

Jacob Holtz has been the backup at heavyweight this year, but got his shot on Saturday. The sophomore scored a 5-1 decision for starters before tabbing a pin with just 10 seconds left on the clock in the first period. But Holtz dropped out via injury and had to settle for sixth. 

Next Up
John Carroll will now prepare for the NCAA Central Regional Championships on Friday February 27-Saturday, February 28 in the Athletic, Wellness & Event Center. Much more coverage to come. 
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