TIFFIN, Ohio—Senior heavyweight Jerry Knapp (Columbia Station/Olmsted Falls) recorded a pin in the final bout of the evening, but the Heidelberg University wrestling team fell to John Carroll University, 19-18, tonight in the OAC dual match opener for both teams at Seiberling Gymnasium in Tiffin, Ohio. Despite the loss, five Student Princes recorded victories.
The Blue Streaks (2-1, 1-0 OAC) took a 6-0 lead, winning the first two matches by decision, before sophomore Chris Osborne (McComb) took a 9-4 decision over Jake Rininger to cut the deficit to 6-3.
JCU extended its lead to 16-6 following a decision and pin.
At 165 pounds, sophomore Justin Wharton (Oregon/Clay) used a last-second escape to take a 6-5 decision over Sean Gill, closing the Berg (2-6, 0-1 OAC) to within 16-6. Sophomore Jeremy Stepp (Cincinnati/Princeton) continued to chip into the Blue Streak lead, earning a 4-2 decision over Todd Gaydosh in triple overtime, cutting the score to 16-9.
Needing at least one pin and a technical fall or two six-point technical falls entering the final two bouts of the match, junior Andy Lovins (Clinton Township, Mich./Lake Shore) fell short, but still managed a 5-0 decision over Jim Nemunaitis at 197 pounds. Knapp’s 2:04 pinfall of Alec Barker in the evening’s final bout ended the match on a positive note for the Berg.
The Berg returns to the mat Saturday, Jan. 14 when it competes at the Spartan Classic hosted by Manchester (Ind.) College in North Manchester, Ind.
