Wrestling opens up OAC schedule with 24-14 win on the road at John Carroll

By Steve Green

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - The Ohio Northern wrestling team opened up their Ohio Athletic Conference schedule with a 24-14 win against the John Carroll Tuesday night.

With the win the Polar Bears improve to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the OAC, while the Blue Streaks fall to 1-2 and 0-1 in the OAC.

A replay of the match will be televised on Sports Time Ohio twice on Wednesday. The first showing is at 6 am and the second is in prime time at 8 pm.

At 133 pounds, Jeremy Jones was able to secure a 3-1 victory over Kevin Nycz.  Down 1-0 in the closing seconds of the third period, Jones was able to escape and secure a takedown that gave him the 3-1 advantage and the win.

Mick Letcher won by pin at 149 to close the score to 9-8.  Ahead 14-4 going into the third period, Letcher was able to pull off a reversal and three quick back points before pinning John Carroll's Mauricio Gonzalez.

Northern's 157 pounder, Luke Miller, propelled the Polar Bears to a 12-8 lead as he was able to dispatch of Connor Suba by a score of 6-0.  Miller dominated the whole match, scoring a point for riding time in the final period.

Billy Painter put a strong showing on at 165.  Painter led 5-3 going into the third, before scoring a reversal and an extra point for riding time to win his bout 8-5.

At 174 pounds Kyle Kwiat won a quick match by pin to push the lead to 21-8.  After John Carroll's Travis Hammer scored a takedown, Kwait was able to escape, get a takedown, and eventually pin Hammer to earn the six points for the Polar Bears.

Northern's Nathan Jones had a 5-3 lead going into the third period in the 197 match.  Jones was able to keep off a late escape by JCU's Jim Nemunaitis to win 5-4 and extend the team lead to 24-11.

Northern will return to action this Saturday as the host the Ohio Northern Invitational in the ONU Sports Center.

The tournament starts at 9 am and will feature some of the best teams in the region.

125 - Cobos (JCU ) tech fall over Piszker, 17-1 (5:45)
133 – Jones (ONU) dec. Nycz, 3-1
141 – Ryan (JCU) dec. Spooner, 10-8
149 – Letcher (ONU) pinned Gonzalez, 5:50
157 – Miller (ONU) dec. Suba, 6-0
165 – Painter (ONU) dec. Schafer, 8-5
174 – Kwait (ONU) pinned Hammer, 2:34
184 – Adams (JCU) dec. Alexander, 2-1 (OT)
197 – N. Jones (ONU) dec. Nemunaitis, 5-4
285 – Barker (JCU) dec. Fisher, 9-6